The TV favorite launched a heartfelt private assertion after she and co-host Claudia Winkleman introduced they might be leaving on the finish of this collection
Tess Daly has launched a heartfelt assertion following a joint announcement with Claudia Winkleman that they may each step down from Strictly Come Dancing after the present collection.
The favored BBC host, 56, stated in a touching Instagram submit this morning, October 23, that her 21 years on the programme had been “unforgettable” and admitted it was “onerous to place into phrases” her expertise.
Tess signed as much as co-host the dancing present with Sir Bruce Forsyth for its very first version in 2004. She stated that she “knew it was one thing particular” immediately however “might by no means have imagined the magic it could convey”.
Over her twenty years fronting Strictly, Tess, from Cheshire, stated it “has been greater than only a tv programme”. The present had “felt like having a 3rd baby [or] a second household”.
Tess stated the fact present “has all the time been about pleasure, celebration, and bringing folks collectively”. She added: “I am so proud to have performed a small half in one thing that continues to imply a lot to so many”.
The telly favorite – who married Vernon Kay in 2003, a yr earlier than she joined Strictly – spoke of the “nice honour” of presenting alongside ‘Brucie’ within the early collection.
Describing the late TV legend as “incomparable”, Tess stated Sir Bruce “set the tone for all the pieces that Strictly turned: heat, wit, connection, and pure showbiz magic”.
Within the social media assertion, Tess additionally stated she was “in awe” of the “beautifully proficient” skilled dancers, the “magnificent” judges, and all of the celebrities that she has labored with over her 21 years.
She reserved particular reward for the behind-the-scenes crew, who labored “so tirelessly” to make Strictly the success it has been for twenty years. Tess stated they’re “the easiest within the enterprise” and hailed their loyalty, kindness, and onerous work.
Tess stated it was “an absolute pleasure and pleasure” to have shared her time on the present together with her “beloved” Claudia. She “treasured each giggle, each stay present, and each backstage second” the pair have shared.
And the mum-of-two saved “the most important thanks of all” for the loyal Strictly viewers. Tess stated the loyalty and assist of the diehards has “meant the world” and has carried the Strictly group by way of each collection.
Tess stated being a part of the weekends of so many individuals throughout Strictly season has been “one of many best joys and privileges of [her] profession” and stated the followers had been the “coronary heart of the present”.
Signing off with “love and countless gratitude”, the previous mannequin stated Strictly would “perpetually maintain a particular place in [her] coronary heart” however that it “felt like the precise time” at hand over the reins.
Tess’ Instagram submit racked up greater than 31,000 likes inside an hour of being posted, with followers, associates, and former contestants flocking to the feedback part.
Her hubby Vernon Kay left a string of loveheart emojis, whereas Dermot O’Leary additionally commented his assist.
Decide Motsu Mabuse wrote: “I am reeling from the information, Tess! You’ve got left me speechless, and I am nonetheless making an attempt to wrap my head round it. Sending you like and finest needs. Your absence shall be deeply felt on Strictly. What an finish of an period!”
Tasha Ghouri, who was runner up on final yr’s collection 22, stated: “You might be what strictly is! Thanks for being so wonderful and I really feel so fortunate to have met you! Numerous love.”
Irish TV presenter Angela Scanlon, who took half in 2023, described Tess as an “icon”. She added: “21 years. You might be an inspiration.
Your kindness on display screen and effectively past. Your pure love of the present. Your heat to each member of that viewers – in studio and at dwelling. An ICON. It received’t be the identical with out you.”
Dancing execs AJ Pritchard and Dianne Buswell additionally hailed Tess. AJ stated he treasured the “valuable seconds” after a dance when he can be greeted by Tess, whereas Dianne stated the present will “miss [her] a lot”.
Tess Daly’s Strictly assertion in full
After 21 unforgettable years, the time has come to say goodbye to Strictly Come Dancing. It is onerous to place into phrases what this present has meant to me, so right here goes…
Strictly has been greater than only a tv programme. It is felt like having a 3rd baby, a second household, and an enormous a part of my life since that very first present again in 2004. I knew then that it was one thing particular, however I might by no means have imagined the magic it could convey.
Strictly has all the time been about pleasure, celebration, and bringing folks collectively – and I am so proud to have performed a small half in one thing that continues to imply a lot to so many.
From that very first collection, I had the nice honour of standing alongside the incomparable Sir Bruce Forsyth. Brucie set the tone for all the pieces that Strictly turned: heat, wit, connection, and pure showbiz magic.
I’ve all the time been in awe of our beautifully proficient skilled dancers, our magnificent judges, and all of the celebrities who’ve taken half. I completely adore our sensible crew – each single member of the Strictly group who’ve labored so tirelessly to make this present what it’s. You’re the absolute best within the enterprise – the kindest, most enjoyable, most loyal, and undoubtedly the hardest-working group in tv.
Thanks for the laughter, the friendship, and the numerous recollections over all these years. You’ve got crammed my coronary heart in methods I will always remember. I will miss you all a lot.
And to you – the viewers at dwelling – the most important thanks of all. Thanks for welcoming us into your properties for over twenty years.
Your love, loyalty, and unwavering assist have meant the world. You’ve got carried us by way of each collection, and that has by no means, ever been taken as a right. You’re the coronary heart of the present, and I really feel so fortunate to have shared it with you. Being a part of your weekend from September to Christmas for the previous 21 years has been one of many best joys and privileges of my profession.
To my beloved Claud – what an absolute pleasure and pleasure it has been sharing this journey with you. You are one in all a form, and I will treasure each giggle, each stay present, and each backstage second we have shared. I am so grateful to have you ever as my pal for all times.
This is not a goodbye to sparkle, sequins, or Saturday night time sparkle (I might by no means say goodbye to these!). Strictly will perpetually maintain a particular place in my coronary heart – but it surely does really feel like the precise time at hand over the reins.
With all my love and countless gratitude, Tess x
