COMMENT: Tess and Claudia’s Strictly exit is the latest shocker for a troubled show – but not the death knell
The beloved presenting duo are leaving the ‘Strictly’ ballroom when the current season ends. Katie Rosseinsky looks at what their departure means for a show that’s been beset by troubles in recent years.
Roisin O’Connor23 October 2025 13:03
Tess and Claudia leave in year they received MBE honours
Tess and Claudia are stepping down in a momentous year for the pair, during which they were both made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the King’s Birthday Honours.
The duo were selected for services to broadcasting, with Claudia saying at the time she felt “ridiculously lucky”.
“I am incredibly grateful to receive this honour,” she said. “It’s a real privilege to work with extraordinarily talented people and I have only got this because of them. So this is for the BBC, the traitors and the faithful, for pianos and for the cha cha.
“I will buy a hat and am taking my mum. I am ridiculously lucky and will celebrate with Tess by doing a paso doble.”
Tess said the honour was the “greatest surprise” of her life.”
“I cried when I opened the letter, because I just I couldn’t believe it,” she added.
“I genuinely couldn’t, and the first thing I wanted to do was tell my dad, because I lost my dad many years ago, and I know how proud my dad would have been, and I would love to have shared that news with him more than anything.”
Nicole Wootton-Cane23 October 2025 13:00
Tess Daly admits she kept pregnancy secret from Strictly bosses
Tess Daly revealed she kept her pregnancy secret during the early days of her career fearing how her bosses may react.
Appearing on Giovanna Fletcher’s Happy Mum Happy Baby podcast on Tuesday (14 October), the host said that she initially decided not to tell BBC bosses back in 2004 that she was expecting her first child.
Daly said: “What if they didn’t want me because they don’t want a visibly pregnant woman on a prime time show on a Saturday night, which by the way in 2004, you didn’t see many.”
Tess Daly admits she kept pregnancy secret from Strictly bosses
Tess Daly has revealed she decided to keep her pregnancy a secret during the early days of her Strictly Come Dancing career. Appearing on Giovanna Fletcher’s Happy Mum Happy Baby podcast on Tuesday (14 October), the host said that she initially decided not to tell BBC bosses back in 2004 that she was expecting her first child. Daly said: “What if they didn’t want me because they don’t want a visibly pregnant woman on a prime time show on a Saturday night, which by the way in 2004, you didn’t see many.” At a press conference a few weeks after Daly had accepted the job, she recalled having a “bump” and had to come clean. “Nobody minded and it was absolutely fine,” she said.
Nicole Wootton-Cane23 October 2025 12:45
Bookies reveal stars most likely to replace Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly
Bookmakers have been busy this morning calculating the odds on who might replace Tess and Claudia as the next hosts of Strictly Come Dancing.
Among the frontrunners are former contestant Zoe Ball, and current It Takes Two presenters Jannette Manrara and Fleur East.
You can read more below…
Nicole Wootton-Cane23 October 2025 12:37
More fan reaction over shock announcement
Fans and celebrities alike have continued to react to the shock announcement of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman’s Strictly exit.
“guys what do you mean no claudia next year on strictly i’m truly heartbroken,” one fan wrote.
“Strictly won’t be the same without Tess and Claudia. Especially the clauditorium, that’s irreplaceable,” another added.
Former contestant and DJ Clara Amfo said: “This is quite surreal. Salute to you both, shouldn’t be radical for two women to present prime time TV together, you two do it with such genuine joy towards each other. Big respect!”
Television presenter, Helen Skelton, who appeared as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing in 2022 said whoever steps in to replace Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly has “big shoes to fill”.
“You look at Tess’s eyes when you finish a dance. On behalf of everyone who’s been on that dance floor, you look at Tess for reassurance – and Claudia for a laugh,” she told BBC 5 Live.
“It’s a real shame. They’ve served that show so well. It’s going to leave a massive hole. I can’t for one second think that was an easy decision. It’s become their identity.
“Tess has done the show for 21 years; it’s been her whole life. So, I think people will be sad when they go.
“Whoever steps into it next has big shoes to fill.”
Nicole Wootton-Cane23 October 2025 12:30
Claudia Winkleman’s bizarre pre-show routine to calm her nerves
Claudia Winkleman revealed her strange pre-show routine that she uses to calm her nerves before presenting Strictly.
“I must eat crisps and I always squeeze Tess before we go live. I get very, very nervous,” Winkleman said ahead of the series’s return this month.
“She’s the kindest and the greatest human anyone could wish to work with. I’m so lucky to do it with her,” Winkleman told MailOnline.
Nicole Wootton-Cane23 October 2025 12:20
Watch: Tess Daly speaks of new opportunities week before announcing Strictly exitTess Daly speaks of new opportunities week before announcing Strictly exit
Nicole Wootton-Cane23 October 2025 12:15
‘Pair of icons’: Rylan hails Tess and Claudia
Former It Takes Two presenter Rylan Clark said: “Adore you both the world. The biggest pleasure working with you both. Pair of icons xxx.”
Rylan on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ companion series ‘It Takes Two (BBC)
Joe Middleton23 October 2025 12:02
When did Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman join Strictly?
For many fans, Tess and Claudia are an integral part of Strictly Come Dancing.
Ms Daly has been lighting up the screen since its inception in 2004, when she presented alongside Bruce Forsyth.
Ms Winkleman was also part of the original team, but headed up its spin-off show It Takes Two.
The pair came together when they later co-presented the Sunday night results show alongside in 2010 before moving to present the main programme 10 years ago.
tessclaudiastrictly (BBC)
Nicole Wootton-Cane23 October 2025 12:00
Nicole Wootton-Cane23 October 2025 11:45