Tess Daly & Claudia Winkleman Say Farewell to Strictly Come Dancing

Get ready for a bittersweet farewell, Strictly fans! After more than a decade of dazzling us every Saturday and Sunday, iconic hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman are officially leaving the ballroom at the end of this current season.

TL;DR: Here's the Quick Sparkle

Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announced their departure from Strictly Come Dancing via Instagram, stating it "feels like the right time" for them to leave together.
Their final episode as hosts will be this year's Christmas special, marking the end of their long and beloved tenure.
Speculation is rife about who will fill their very sparkly shoes, with names like Zoe Ball, Rylan Clark, and even Holly Willoughby in the mix.

The Shocking Announcement That Sent Ripples Through the Ballroom

It's the news no Strictly Come Dancing fan wanted to hear, but it's official: our beloved duo, Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, are hanging up their hosting microphones. The pair broke the news themselves in a joint statement posted on Tess Daly's Instagram, and via an Insta video, ensuring fans heard it directly from them.

“There have been some rumblings,” Claudia Winkleman shared, “and we want you to hear this from us.” Tess Daly then continued, confirming the news: “We have some news. After 21 wonderfully joyful years on Strictly we have decided that the time is right to step aside and pass over the baton.” Claudia quickly interjected, with her characteristic wit, to add, “The very sparkly baton!”

This announcement, which came as a surprise even to long-standing judge Craig Revel Horwood who found out via social media, marks a significant moment for the BBC's flagship entertainment show. The sentiment from the hosts was clear: "We were always going to leave together and now feels like the right time. 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.”

Their final appearance will be during this year's highly anticipated Christmas episode, promising an emotional send-off for a duo who have become synonymous with the show's magic.

"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!"

— Tess Daly & Claudia Winkleman (Joint Instagram statement)

Celebrating a Glittering Legacy: A Look Back at Their Impactful Journey

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Tess Daly has been a fixture of Strictly Come Dancing since its inception in 2004, initially co-presenting alongside the legendary Bruce Forsyth. Her warm presence and genuine enthusiasm have guided viewers through two decades of dazzling routines, emotional eliminations, and countless memorable moments.

Claudia Winkleman's journey with Strictly began with the companion show Strictly: It Takes Two and the Sunday night results shows from 2010. She officially stepped into Bruce Forsyth's shoes as co-host alongside Tess in 2013/2014, forming the dynamic, witty, and incredibly popular partnership that fans have cherished for over a decade. Together, they made history as one of the few all-female presenting duos on a major entertainment show, a move that was widely celebrated for its significance in the TV industry.

BBC Chief Content Officer Kate Phillips echoed the feelings of many, stating, “I can’t quite believe I’m saying this, but it’s the end of an era with Tess and Claudia’s decision to bid farewell to the Strictly ballroom. They’ve both been such incredible hosts at the very heart of the show.” The duo's undeniable chemistry, their ability to comfort nervous contestants, and their infectious joy have been central to Strictly's enduring appeal, regularly drawing millions of viewers to their screens.

Their departure marks not just the end of their tenure, but also a significant shift for a show that has been a staple of UK television from September to Christmas since 2004. Tess's long service even earned her an MBE for services to broadcasting in June, a testament to her profound contribution.

Beyond the Ballroom: How the Show's Hosts Navigated Recent Challenges

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The news of Tess and Claudia's exit comes at a pivotal time for Strictly Come Dancing. While the show remains immensely popular, it hasn't been without its share of challenges in recent years. The past couple of seasons have seen the show grapple with a number of scandals that have made headlines.

In 2024, a misconduct and bullying investigation led to the departure of two professional dancers, Giovanni Pernice and Graziano di Prima. The BBC also had to issue an apology to former contestant Amanda Abbington after an investigation upheld her complaints of verbal bullying and harassment against Pernice. More recently, for the 2025 edition, the BBC launched an investigation into alleged cocaine use by two of the show's stars, followed by the arrest of an unnamed individual on suspicion of rape, though the BBC clarified this person was not involved in the current series.

These incidents have undoubtedly put pressure on the production, highlighting the demanding environment of such a high-profile show. While Tess and Claudia have consistently maintained a steadfast and professional front, providing a comforting and familiar presence amidst any external drama, their departure signifies a broader period of change for the beloved dance competition.

Who Will Step Into Those Sparkly Shoes? Examining the Potential Strictly Successors

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With Tess and Claudia "waltzing off" at the end of the season, the biggest question on every fan's lips (and likely the BBC's too!) is: who will replace them? The role is one of the most coveted and high-profile in British television, and filling such big, sparkly shoes will be no easy feat. The new hosts will need charisma, warmth, a thick skin, and the ability to steer a massive live entertainment brand.

Here are some of the names currently being discussed as potential frontrunners:

Zoe Ball: A former Strictly finalist and much-loved host of the spin-off show It Takes Two, Zoe has Strictly in her blood. She's popular with viewers, but the question remains if she'd welcome the intense pressure of a main hosting role.
Rylan Clark: Another popular former It Takes Two presenter, Rylan is a huge favorite within the BBC. Known for his wit and charm, he even commented on Claudia's Instagram post about the departure, saying, "Shoes as big as the fringe to fill."
Janette Manrara & Fleur East: Could the current It Takes Two duo make the leap to the main show? Janette is a former Strictly professional dancer, deeply ingrained in the show's fabric, while singer Fleur East is a former contestant now in her second year of co-hosting the companion show. They represent a natural progression within the Strictly family.
Holly Willoughby: The former ITV daytime queen is reportedly "long coveted" by BBC bosses for their Saturday night lineup. She certainly has the star power, but insiders suggest the intense tabloid interest surrounding her might overshadow the show.
Cat Deeley: With experience hosting the US Strictly rival, So You Think You Can Dance, Cat knows the ropes of dance competition formats. Her ITV contract for This Morning is due for renewal in spring 2026, which could open up possibilities.
Alesha Dixon: A former Strictly contestant and judge, Alesha has a deep understanding of the show from multiple angles. Her dance experience could bring a fresh dynamic, echoing original host Bruce Forsyth's background.
Hannah Waddingham: The Ted Lasso actress, known for her incredible stage presence and vocal talents, would undoubtedly bring glamour to the Saturday night slot. Her busy schedule, however, might be a challenge.
Roman Kemp: The One Show presenter and former Capital FM DJ could help broaden Strictly's appeal to a younger audience. This would be a big step up, potentially paired with a more experienced co-host.
Emma Willis: A skilled and empathetic presenter, Emma has previously expressed interest in Strictly as a contestant. Her experience hosting major shows like Big Brother and The Voice makes her a strong contender.
Vernon Kay: After his wife Tess's two-decade stint, could her Radio 2 DJ husband take on the mantle? He's a skilled presenter, but the couple might prefer to reclaim their weekends.
Ant and Dec: While a long shot, some have wondered if the BBC could make a "big-money pitch" to poach ITV's biggest names. It would be a monumental shift, but a new challenge for the veteran hosts.

Other names floating around include AJ Odudu, Paddy McGuinness, Rochelle Humes, Mel Giedroyc, and Alex Scott, indicating that the BBC has a wide pool of talent to consider for this monumental task.

Bidding Adieu to the Ballroom: The Show's Future After This Beloved Pair

As Tess and Claudia prepare to say their final "keep dancing" (perhaps, as they joked, in tracksuit bottoms at home with pizza!), it's clear that Strictly Come Dancing is entering a new chapter. The BBC's commitment to finding the right replacements underscores the show's importance as a national treasure.

While the departure of such beloved hosts is undeniably sad, it also presents an opportunity for reinvention. The legacy of Tess and Claudia – their warmth, their humor, and their unwavering support for contestants – has laid a fantastic foundation. Whoever steps into these roles will have the monumental task of honoring that legacy while bringing their own unique sparkle to the ballroom.

For now, fans can look forward to one last incredible run with Tess and Claudia, culminating in an unforgettable Christmas special. It's truly the end of an era, but as the show itself teaches us, the dance must always go on!

Frequently Asked Questions About the Strictly Host Shake-Up

Q1: When are Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman leaving Strictly Come Dancing? A1: They are officially leaving at the end of the current season (the 23rd series), with their final appearance scheduled for this year's Christmas episode.

Q2: Why are Tess and Claudia leaving Strictly Come Dancing? A2: In their own words, they felt that "now feels like the right time" for them to leave together, having always planned to depart as a duo. They expressed immense love for their time on the show and the team.

Q3: How long have Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman hosted Strictly together? A3: Tess Daly has been a main host since 2004. Claudia Winkleman joined her as a permanent co-host in 2013/2014, meaning they have presented together for over a decade. Claudia had been involved with the show in other capacities (like It Takes Two and the Sunday results shows) since 2010, and their joint statement refers to "21 wonderfully joyful years on Strictly."

Q4: Who are the potential replacements for Tess and Claudia on Strictly? A4: Several names are being discussed, including Zoe Ball, Rylan Clark, Janette Manrara & Fleur East (from It Takes Two), Holly Willoughby, Cat Deeley, Alesha Dixon, Hannah Waddingham, Roman Kemp, and Emma Willis, among others.