Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have introduced they’re leaving Strictly Come Dancing after 11 years as co-hosts.

Strictly Come Dancing hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have dropped a bombshell announcement that they will be stepping down from their presenting duties when the present collection wraps up.

The presenting duo broke the information in a heartfelt joint assertion shared throughout social media platforms, revealing: “We have now liked working as a duo and internet hosting Strictly has been an absolute dream. We have been at all times going to go away collectively and now appears like the correct time.

“We can have the best remainder of this superb collection and we simply wish to say an unlimited 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 day-after-day. We’ll cry once we say the final ‘preserve dancing’ however we are going to proceed to say it to one another. Simply probably in tracksuit bottoms at residence whereas holding some pizza.”

READ MORE: Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman depart Strictly LIVE as BBC hosts share joint assertion

The pair, with Tess having been on the helm for the reason that programme launched 21 years in the past, each posted separate farewell messages alongside their joint announcement, studies the Mirror.

Neither presenter has disclosed the particular causes behind their determination to bow out from the ballroom, although hypothesis suggests a number of components might be at play.

‘Bow out while on high’

Tess penned her personal emotional farewell to supporters on Instagram, honouring her former presenting associate, the beloved late Bruce Forsyth, while suggesting she’s eager to depart while the present stays at its peak. The mum-of-two concluded her prolonged message with: “This is not a goodbye to sparkle, sequins, or Saturday evening sparkle (I might by no means say goodbye to these! ). Strictly will ceaselessly maintain a particular place in my coronary heart – nevertheless it does really feel like the correct time at hand over the reins. With all my love and infinite gratitude, Tess x.”

Claudia additionally shared an identical sentiment. Captioning a snap of herself and Tess, a part of The Traitors host’s exit assertion learn: “I’ve at all times believed it is best to go away a celebration earlier than you are absolutely able to go and I do know the brand new hosts will probably be magnificent, I look ahead to watching them take Strictly to new heights. As for Tess – I am so so fortunate I acquired to face subsequent to you. You are humorous, form, whip good and a real pal and I really like you.”

Each Tess and Claudia acquired MBE honours within the King’s Birthday Honours for his or her broadcasting contributions earlier this 12 months – amongst essentially the most prestigious recognition for tv presenters. Might Tess and Claudia have considered this as the right second to step again from their Royal duties?

Contemporary ventures

While Claudia made no reference to her extra initiatives in her announcement, the 53 12 months previous has an extremely packed schedule at current, making it solely cheap that she would possibly want to clear some house in her skilled diary.

Claudia’s profile has soared dramatically since she partnered with Tess on Strictly’s flagship programme, transferring up from the Sunday night outcomes present in 2014 after Bruce Forsyth stepped down. The mother-of-three scooped her first BAFTA for internet hosting The Traitors final 12 months, a programme that has considerably boosted her recognition.

The BBC actuality TV present has already impressed a star spin-off, which Claudia additionally presents, so it would not be shocking if Claudia selected to focus on her newer, much less controversy-ridden collection.

Pact

In a show of unity and as a tribute to their friendship, Tess and Claudia revealed their plans to depart from Strictly concurrently this morning, stating that that they had at all times meant to bid farewell as a staff.

The co-hosts, who’ve led Strictly collectively for 11 years, knowledgeable their followers: “We have now liked working as a duo and internet hosting Strictly has been an absolute dream. We have been at all times going to go away collectively and now appears like the correct time.

“We can have the best remainder of this superb collection and we simply wish to say an unlimited thanks to the BBC and to each single one who works on the present.”

Strictly scandals

While each Tess and Claudia highlighted the optimistic experiences of their bulletins, it isn’t tough to invest that the current scandals surrounding Strictly could have performed a component of their determination to carry out their last dance.

In August, it was reported that the drug use of two Strictly solid members was mentioned on the BBC dancing present, and it was said that the company had appointed legislation agency Pinsent Masons to guide the investigation.

The controversy-plagued programme additionally confronted scrutiny in 2024, when the BBC investigated claims of bullying and harassment in opposition to former skilled dancer Giovanni Pernice, introduced ahead by his earlier dance associate Amanda Abbington.

The broadcaster supported some, although not all, of the allegations submitted – and introduced in a variety of contemporary safeguards designed to boost participant wellbeing. This encompassed introducing a chaperone who stays current “always” throughout coaching room apply periods.

EastEnders actor James Borthwick was additionally suspended from the BBC after footage surfaced of the performer utilizing a disabled slur on the dance present’s set.

The drug use claims have been allegedly submitted in a authorized doc by legislation agency Russells in March representing former participant Wynne Evans, who was axed by the BBC after saying sorry for utilizing “inappropriate language” through the Strictly tour launch. It’s believed that the BBC regularly assigns exterior authorized companies to help with main investigations.

Neither Tess nor Claudia have ever been personally implicated in any of the controversies regardless of their pristine public personas, however have they grown bored with being linked to the chaos?