Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have introduced they’re stepping down as hosts of Strictly Come Dancing after the present sequence, with the ultimate episode on display collectively going out on Christmas Day

Strictly Come Dancing hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have introduced they’re stepping down from the present, aiming to “exit on the high” earlier than any additional scandals emerge, in accordance with experiences.

In a transfer that left followers gobsmacked, the duo launched a video confirming their departure as soon as the present sequence concludes, with their closing episode collectively airing on Christmas Day.

Insiders near the pair, who had at all times vowed to exit the present concurrently, revealed that they had knowledgeable senior present executives of their resolution weeks prior, however their social media announcement took lots of the Strictly forged and crew unexpectedly, experiences the Mirror.

A telly insider shared: “The sensation is Tess and Claudia wished to exit on the high and while the present continues to be enormous and shortly after they acquired MBEs. Saying it mid sequence additionally provides them a little bit of a swansong and would not take the highlight away from the winner.

“Claudia is correct at her profession peak with The Traitors and different TV provides flooding in. Tess has been internet hosting the present for greater than twenty years and likes the thought of extra weekends together with her household and associates.

“The latest scandals across the present have barely dented the rankings and there is perhaps extra on the horizon, in order that they weighed it up and really feel it is the suitable time to give up.”

One other supply near the pair added: “They at all times stated they’d go collectively once they felt proper and it simply feels proper this 12 months.”

The duo made their departure announcement by way of a video on social media.

In a heartfelt assertion, they expressed: “We now have beloved working as a duo and internet hosting Strictly has been an absolute dream.

“We had been at all times going to depart collectively and now seems like the suitable time.

“We could have the best remainder of this superb sequence and we simply wish to say an infinite thanks to the BBC and to each single one who works on the present. They’re essentially the most good staff and we’ll miss them on daily basis.

“We’ll cry after we say the final ‘maintain dancing’ however we’ll proceed to say it to one another. Simply presumably in tracksuit bottoms at residence whereas holding some pizza.”

Later, Winkleman added in one other assertion: “It is very tough to place into phrases precisely what Strictly has meant to me. It has been the best relationship of my profession.

“I’ve at all times believed it is best to depart a celebration earlier than you are absolutely able to go and I do know the brand new hosts shall be magnificent, I look ahead to watching them take Strictly to new heights. As for Tess – I am so so fortunate I bought to face subsequent to you. You are humorous, sort, whip good and a real buddy and I like you.”

Tess has been part of the present since its inception in 2004, co-hosting alongside the late Bruce Forsyth till his departure in 2014.

Claudia joined the Strictly household in 2004 as effectively, initially presenting the spin-off present It Takes Two.

She later co-presented the Sunday evening outcomes present with Daly beginning in 2010, earlier than the pair took over as foremost programme presenters a decade in the past.

Decide Motsi Mabuse declared: “Going to overlook you a lot!”, in response to Claudia’s put up. “You are an icon and inspiration. Nonetheless in shock, however wishing you like and finest needs.”

The BBC confirmed in an official assertion that substitute judges shall be revealed “in the end”.

Potential candidates being mentioned embody Zoe Ball, Rylan Clark, Alan Carr, Alison Hammond, Holly Willoughby and Anton Du Beke.

Responding to the announcement, former It Takes Two presenter and 2005 contestant Zoe Ball described them as an “Absolute class act. Bravo women. Big love.”

Tv persona Rylan Clark – additionally a earlier It Takes Two host – expressed he had the “greatest pleasure” working with the “pair of icons”.

The BBC moreover confirmed that Tess and Claudia will depart Strictly Come Dancing when the present sequence concludes, with their closing joint on-screen second scheduled for the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Particular, broadcasting on Christmas Day by way of BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Kate Phillips, Chief Content material Officer for the BBC, expressed her disbelief on the departure of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman from Strictly Come Dancing, stating: “I can not fairly imagine I am saying this, but it surely’s the top of an period with Tess and Claudia’s resolution to bid farewell to the Strictly ballroom. They’ve each been such unbelievable hosts on the very coronary heart of the present, their ardour and dedication has gone above and past.

“They have been integral to Strictly’s success during the last 20 years, however I perceive why they’ve determined it is time to hold up the glitter ball and get their weekends again. As Craig would say they’re fab-u-lous presenters, and they’re fab-u-lous associates to me and so many others on the BBC. Thanks Tess and Claud for the whole lot, we’ll miss you massively.”

The information reportedly took different backstage forged and crew unexpectedly.

Suzy Lamb, Managing Director, Leisure, BBC Studios, additionally paid tribute to the departing duo, saying: “On behalf of your entire manufacturing staff at Strictly, we’re so going to overlook Tess and Claudia. Tess introduced magnificence, poise, and a real love for the present that by no means waned from the very begin.

“And with Claudia’s appeal and razor-sharp wit becoming a member of us from It Takes Two in 2014 – it cemented a partnership that has saved our viewers captivated ever since. Tess and Claudia are way more than presenters to us – they’re a part of the Strictly manufacturing household – and while we’ll miss them dearly, we want them nothing however one of the best.”

Sarah James, Govt Producer of Strictly Come Dancing, expressed: “Tess and Claudia are fairly merely one of the best duo of presenters within the enterprise and we’re so fortunate to have had them as our Strictly anchors for therefore a few years.

“They’ve championed numerous celebrities on the dancefloor, led us all by way of two sequence in the course of the pandemic however extra importantly they’ve a deep and real bond with the present and each single member of the staff.

“The Strictly Household is commonly referred to and these ladies are the matriarchs of that household. We now have been collectively and supported one another for a very long time – by way of pregnancies, births and deaths and to say we’ll all miss them terribly is an understatement. Tess, Claudia, THANK YOU for the whole lot, it is not over but – let’s take pleasure in the remainder of this fabulous sequence collectively. I’d say Hold Dancing, however you by no means really began!”