Copyright dailystar
Strictly Come Dancing judges Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood ditched initial plans to dress up as departing hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman for Icons Week, it's been reported. Instead, they channelled music legends David Bowie and John Lennon. This change of heart came ahead of Tess and Claudia's surprise announcement that they're hanging up their presenting hats at the end of this series. The presenting duo, who broke the news on Instagram, will bid farewell on Christmas Day, although the show will be pre-recorded. According to insiders, the decision to scrap the original costume idea wasn't linked to Tess and Claudia's exit. The Star understands that while everyone found the idea hilarious, they ultimately opted for Bowie and Lennon instead, with all four judges' outfits finalised before the exit bombshell. This comes after a TV insider claimed that the costume was axed after Tess and Claudia's decision to leave the show. "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," an insider claimed to The Sun, reports the Mirror . The Sun also reported that the presenters' decision to step down came as a surprise to many until they made it public, though a number of BBC and Strictly bosses were aware of Tess and Claudia's decision to step down from the series prior to their announcement last week. In a shared video on Instagram, the duo expressed: "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 concerns about fan reactions, the departure was openly discussed on the most recent live show as Claudia thanked viewers for their heartfelt messages, saying: "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." Speaking about their exit, an insider told 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.
