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Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman's replacements as hosts of Strictly Come Dancing may have been 'found' as the favourites to take over the coveted role have been made. It has been 11 years since the pair started hosting the BBC One dance show together, with Tess fronting the beloved programme since its first ever episode in 2004. Then, she hosted the show alongside the legendary broadcaster, Sir Bruce Forsyth, and when he decided to step-down, Claudia was drafted in as his replacement, having hosted Strictly's spin-off show, It Takes Two from 2004 until 2010. They have since become staples of the hit programme, with the 2025 run, series 23, marking Strictly's 21st year on the air. But, this week it was confirmed the end of an era is on the horizon as Tess and Claudia confirmed they will leave the show at the end of the current series. Tess, 56, and Claudia, 53, announced the shock news on social media on Thursday (October 23) in a joint statement, alongside a video in which they discussed their decision. They said: "We have loved working as a duo and hosting Strictly has been an absolute dream," they said. "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. "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." Strictly stars both past and present, as well as fans, were quick to respond to the news, which came as a complete surprise to everyone. But those tipped to replace the duo were quickly being named. Janette Manara and Zoe Ball are William Hill’s joint favourites to be named as the next presenter of Strictly after Tess and Claudia depart at the end of the current series. Janette, a professional dancer and presenter of Strictly: It Takes Two, and well-known BBC2 broadcaster and presenter Zoe Ball, who also previously hosted the spin-off show, are both priced at 3/1, narrowly ahead of Fleur East at 7/2. Former Strictly judge, Alesha Dixon is a 4/1 chance, with Rylan Clark (5/1), Stacey Dooley (6/1) and Holly Willoughby (6/1) all following in the betting. Spokesperson for William Hill, Lee Phelps, said: "Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman’s decision to step down from co-presenting Strictly following the current season has been a bombshell moment for fans, and BBC execs will be eager to find a suitable replacement to fill some big shoes. "Our current 3/1 joint favourites are Janette Manara, who will be well known to Strictly fans, having appeared on eight series of the show as a pro dancer and currently presenting Strictly: It Takes Two, and Zoe Ball, who has previously hosted the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour. "A host of other names with connections to the show follow in the betting – current Strictly: It Takes Two co-host Fleur East is 7/2, while former Strictly judge Alesha Dixon is priced at 4/1. "Other notable names in the betting include Holly Willoughby (6/1), Roman Kemp (7/1) and Alex Scott (10/1)."
