Summary

  • Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman are to leave Strictly Come Dancing at the end of the series

  • In a joint statement, they say: "We have loved working as a duo and hosting Strictly has been an absolute dream"

  • "We were always going to leave together and now feels like the right time," they add - watch their statement here

  • The presenters' last appearance together on the show will be the Christmas special, which airs on 25 December

  • Daly has presented Strictly since the first series 21 years ago - Winkleman joined as a main presenter in 2014

  • We don't know who will replace them - but two of the biggest roles in British TV are now up for grabs, writes Emma Saunders

  • Where does Strictly go now? Who should be the new presenters? Get in touch here

Live Reporting

Edited by Jenna Moon

  1. 'I can’t for one second think that was an easy decision,' says Helen Skelton

    Helen Skelton and Kai Widdrington during the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour press launchPA Media

    Helen Skelton and Kai Widdrington during the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour press launch in January 2023

    Helen Skelton was on Strictly in 2022 - she has just been speaking to our colleagues on 5 Live.

    "You look at Tess’ 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.

    "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."

  2. 'Lovely Bruce!' Daly had been there from the start

    Emma Saunders
    Culture reporter

    Daly and Forsyth

    Daly and Forsyth, pictured for the 2014 Christmas special

    Daly joined the show in the beginning, 2004, working alongside the late Bruce Forsyth, who was a presenter until he stepped down in 2014.

    Winkleman also joined the Strictly team in 2004, when she began presenting its spin-off show It Takes Two.

    She went on to co-present the Sunday night results show alongside Daly in 2010 before the pair began presenting the main programme 10 years ago.

    In their departure post, Winkleman mentions that Daly has been on the show since the start.

    "2004! With Brucey - lovely Bruce," says Daly.

  3. Daly and Winkleman's statement in full
    Breaking

    Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman

    Here's their Instagram statement in full:

    We have loved working as a duo and hosting Strictly has been an absolute dream.

    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.

    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.

    Tess & Claud

  4. Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman to leave Strictly
    Breaking

    Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman are to leave Strictly Come Dancing after the latest series ends.

    The pair posted a video statement on Daly's Instagram feed, announcing the news to fans.

    Screenshot of Daly and WinkelmanInstagram

    The pair announced the news in a joint statement on Instagram