Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman to step down from Strictly Come Dancing after current series
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman to step down from Strictly Come Dancing after current series
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Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman to step down from Strictly Come Dancing after current series

Roisin O'Connor 🕒︎ 2025-10-23

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Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman to step down from Strictly Come Dancing after current series

Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman are to leave Strictly Come Dancing together after the latest series ends. The popular presenting duo shared a video statement on Daly’s Instagram feed today, announcing the news of their departure to fans. “We have loved working as a duo and hosting Strictly has been an absolute dream,” their statement 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.” They concluded: “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.” Daly, 56, has hosted the show since the start 21 years ago, while Winkleman, 53, joined as co-presenter on the main show in 2014, having previously co-hosted the Sunday night results show. In a separate statement, Daly said it was “hard to put into words” what the show had meant to her over the years. “Strictly has been more than just a television programme,” she said. “It’s like having a third child, a second family, and a huge part of my life since that very first show back in 2004. I knew then it was something special, but I could never have imagined the magic it would bring. “Strictly has always been about joy, celebration, and bringing people together... I’m so proud to have played a small part in something that continues to mean so much to so many.” Daly paid tribute to her late co-presenter Bruce Forsyth, who died in 2017 and who hosted Strictly with her between 2004 to 2013. “Brucie set the tone for everything that Strictly became: warmth, wit, connection, and pure showbiz magic,” she said. She also thanked the show’s “superbly talented” professional dancers, the judges, the celebrities who had taken part over the years and the crew, whom she called the “kindest, most fun, most loyal and definitely the hardest-working team in television”. “And to you, the viewers at home, the biggest thank you of all,” she added. “Thank you for welcoming us into your homes for over two decades. “Your love, loyalty and unwavering support have meant the world. You’ve carried us through every series, and that has never, ever been taken for granted. You are the heart of this show, and I feel so lucky to have shared it with you.” The duo’s announcement has sparked a wave of tributes and appreciation for one of British television’s most popular presenting duos. “I'm reeling from the news, Tess!” Strictly judge Motsi Mabuse wrote in the comments section of Daly’s post. “You've left me speechless, and I'm still trying to wrap my head around it. Sending you love and best wishes... your absence will be deeply felt on Strictly. What an end of an era!” Her sister and fellow dancer Oti Mabuse said: “Wow! How devastating. You two have been incredible to work with... thank you so much for all the beautiful memories, for representing females presenters [sic], being iconic, the laughs and years of family you’ve given all us. From the beginning you were the highlight of our weekends! Wish you both luck, I will miss you so much!!!” “We love you Tess and will miss you so very much,” professional dancer Dianne Buswell wrote. Amy Dowden, another of the show’s professional dancers, commented: “Nooooo, absolutely gutted! Our beautiful strictly queens! Thank you, from being a fan these past 21 years to joining the show you have both brought so much joy, elegance, fun and pure brilliant entertainment to the nation! Thank you! Going to miss you both so much! Welsh love always.” The official Strictly Come Dancing account also responded with a simple “heart” emoji. Winkleman and Daly’s departure comes in the wake of a series of controversies for the BBC’s embattled flagship programme. In its current series alone, it faced criticism for casting controversial Apprentice contestant and internet personality Thomas Skinner, after he was pictured socialising with US vice president JD Vance. Last year, professional dancer Giovanni Pernice was axed from the show after complaints were upheld against him from Sherlock star Amanda Abbington, who accused him of bullying and harassment. Weeks after he left the show, professional dancer Graziano Di Prima was also dropped over alleged mistreatment of his celebrity partner, Zara McDermott, in 2023. The current series is still underway, starring celebrity contestants including actor Alex Kingston, Emmerdale’s Lewis Cope, model Ellie Goldstein and Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK star La Voix.

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