“Strictly Come Dancing” presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have announced their departure from the BBC series.
In a video posted to both their Instagram accounts, the pair revealed they had made the joint decision to leave the show. “There have been some rumblings, and we want you to hear this from us,” Winkleman began. “After 21 wonderfully joyful years on ‘Strictly,’ we have decided that the time is right to step aside and pass on the baton,” Daly continued.
Daly has presented the dance competition series since its start in 2004, whereas Winkleman joined as her co-host in 2014 when Sir Bruce Forsyth left the show.
“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 continued in the video’s caption. “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.”
Daly added in her own statement on Instagram: “This isn’t a goodbye to glitter, sequins or Saturday night sparkle (I could never say goodbye to those!). ‘Strictly’ will forever hold a special place in my heart — but it does feel like the right time to hand over the reins.”
The 23rd season of “Strictly Come Dancing” is currently airing on the BBC, with its finale set for Dec. 20. Daly and Winkleman will continue to host the show through the end of this season, and then the hunt will be on for the BBC to find new presenters.
“I’ve always believed it’s best to leave a party before you’re fully ready to go and I know the new hosts will be magnificent, I look forward to watching them take ‘Strictly’ to new heights,” Winkleman added in a separate post. “As for Tess — I’m so so lucky I got to stand next to you. You’re funny, kind, whip smart and a true friend and I love you.”
