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In a move that’s stunned Strictly Come Dancing fans across the nation, Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly have confirmed they are leaving the hit BBC show after an incredible 21 years.
The presenting duo, who have become icons of Saturday night television, announced their departure in an emotional video shared to Instagram on Thursday, sitting side by side as they broke the news directly to viewers.
Claudia began the heartfelt message by saying, “There have been some rumblings, and we want you to hear this from us.” Tess continued, “We have news, after 21 wonderfully joyful years on Strictly, we’ve decided it’s time to step away.”
The post was captioned with a touching joint statement that read: “We have loved working as a duo and hosting Strictly has been an absolute dream. We were always going to leave together, and now feels like the right time.”
They continued, “We will have the greatest rest of this amazing series and we just want to say an enormous thank you to the BBC and to every single person who works on the show. They’re the most brilliant team and we’ll miss them every day. We will cry when we say the last ‘keep dancing’ but we will continue to say it to each other, just possibly in tracksuit bottoms at home while holding some pizza.”
The news has left Strictly fans heartbroken, with thousands of comments flooding in within minutes of the announcement. Viewers have called the pair “the heart of the show” and praised their chemistry, wit, and effortless charm.
Tess Daly first joined Strictly Come Dancing when it launched in 2004, initially co-hosting alongside the late Sir Bruce Forsyth. After his departure in 2014, Claudia stepped in full-time, and together, the duo transformed the show’s dynamic, bringing warmth, humour, and a perfect blend of glamour and fun to every Saturday night.
For over two decades, Tess and Claudia have become household favourites, with their on-screen friendship and banter providing as much sparkle as the sequins on the dance floor. Their departure marks the end of an era for one of the BBC’s most successful entertainment shows.
Fans and celebrities alike have been paying tribute to the pair online. Former contestants and professionals have shared heartfelt messages, thanking them for their support and saying Strictly “won’t be the same without them.”
While neither presenter has confirmed what’s next, both are expected to continue with other BBC projects. Claudia remains the face of hit psychological competition series The Traitors, while Tess continues to front a range of entertainment and lifestyle projects, as well as her popular fashion ventures.
BBC bosses are said to be “devastated” by their decision but have reportedly known for some time that this series would be their last. Producers are now facing the daunting task of finding new hosts to step into the iconic heels of Tess and Claudia, a duo whose chemistry and charm have defined Strictly for a generation.
As the current Strictly series continues, viewers can expect an emotional farewell later this year, when Tess and Claudia deliver their final “Keep Dancing!”, a phrase that has become synonymous with British weekend television.
It’s the end of an era, but one thing’s for sure: the nation will never forget the sparkle they brought to Saturday nights.
No se pudo cargar el feed.
No se pudo cargar el feed.
No se pudo cargar el feed.
