The presenters announced their plans to step down from the BBC One dance show
10:01, 23 Oct 2025
Strictly duo Claudia and Tess(Image: BBC)
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have announced they are both quitting Strictly Come Dancing.
Tess, who hails from Stockport, has fronted the BBC programme since its conception n 2004, first alongside the legendary Sir Bruce Forsyth and later with current co-host Claudia Winkleman.
Tess announced the news in an emotional statement posted to social media on Thursday (October 23), followed by Claudia.
Both she and Claudia will leave the show after the current series, the 23rd, ends.
They issued a joint video statement, alongside the message: “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.”
The hosts announced their joint exit(Image: BBC)
In her own statement, Tess said: “After 21 unforgettable years, the time has come to say goodbye to Strictly Come Dancing. It’s hard to put it into words what this show has meant to me, so here goes.
“Strictly has been more than just a television programme. It’s felt like having a third child, a second family, and a huge part of my life since that very first show back in 2004. I knew then it was something special, but I could never have imagined the magic it would bring.
Strictly has always been about joy, celebration, and bringing people together – and I’m so proud to have played a small part in something that continues to mean so much to so many..”
Meanwhile, Claudia said: “It’s very difficult to put into words exactly what Strictly has meant to me. It’s been the greatest relationship of my career. From working on It Takes Two in 2004 until now it has been my everything, the show I will be eternally grateful for.
“I will never forget Len Goodman trying to teach me what a cucaracha is (I still don’t know) and the complete thrill and honour it was to work with Tess on the results show to cohosting on Saturday nights.
“Strictly is a magical, glittery, fake tanned train and it’s been a privilege to be a tiny part of it. The extraordinary talent of the dancers, the band, the hair and makeup and costume teams, the unbelievable production crew and creatives – all utterly amazing.
“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. 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.”
