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Strictly Come Dancing stars Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood had originally planned to dress up as Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman during Icons Week, but ultimately decided against it, it has emerged. The judges, who were meant to transform into various icons for the themed episode, eventually opted to appear as David Bowie and John Lennon instead. Saturday evening's programme marked the first episode Tess and Claudia presented since revealing on Instagram last Thursday (23 October) that they would be departing at the end of this series . Their farewell appearance will take place on Christmas Day, though the show will be filmed well beforehand. According to The Mirror, the choice to scrap Craig and Anton's initial costume concept wasn't connected to Tess and Claudia's recent departure announcement. A source disclosed that whilst everyone thought the concept was hilarious, they settled on Bowie and Lennon instead - with all four judges' outfits being finalised before the exit news emerged. This follows claims from a TV insider that the costume was scrapped following Tess and Claudia's choice to quit the programme. "Everyone is super sensitive to their decision and while bosses have a sense of humour, it was decided the idea may not land well with viewers," a source told The Sun. The Sun also revealed that the presenters' choice to quit caught many off guard until they went public with the news, although several BBC and Strictly executives were privy to Tess and Claudia's plan to bow out before last week's announcement. In a joint Instagram video, the pair declared: "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." Despite worries over audience response, the exit was openly addressed during the latest live broadcast as Claudia acknowledged fans for their touching responses, stating: "We've got another eight weeks on this incredible show and a Strictly champion to crown. We can't wait to spend the rest of the series with you." Discussing their departure, a source revealed to The Mirror: "The feeling is Tess and Claudia wanted to go out at the top and whilst the show is still huge and shortly after they received MBEs. Announcing it mid series also gives them a bit of a swan-song and doesn't take the spotlight away from the winner. "Claudia is right at her career peak with The Traitors and other TV offers flooding in. Tess has been hosting the show for more than two decades and like that idea of more weekends with her family and her friends. "The recent scandals around the show have also impacted the ratings a little bit and there might be more around the corner, so they weighed it up and feel it is the right time to quit." Strictly Come Dancing returns on Saturday at 6.35pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
