Entertainment24 October, 20253 min read
Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly Quit Strictly Come Dancing After Decades Defining the Show
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman are leaving Strictly Come Dancing after 21 years. Their final appearance will be the current series' Christmas special in December 2025.
51 outlets told this the same way.
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Hosts Leaving Strictly Come Dancing
Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly have jointly announced they are stepping down as co-hosts of BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing after the current series. This moment has been widely described as the end of an era. Several mainstream outlets specify that their last on-screen duty will be the Christmas special.
“Their final appearances will be on Christmas Day, after which they will step down.”
Other sources mention a different date for the series finale, highlighting inconsistencies in reporting about the exact endpoint. The BBC praised their legacy and historic role as the first female presenting duo on prime-time Saturday night TV. Media coverage emphasizes their gratitude and the significant cultural impact of the show.
Hosts' Tenure and Legacy
Reports agree that Daly has fronted the show since its 2004 launch. Coverage diverges on Winkleman’s timeline: The Guardian emphasizes she became co-host in 2014 after the spin-off It Takes Two, but some outlets relay different dates. The pair’s own reflections are consistently emotional—Daly has likened Strictly to a “third child” and a “second family.”
Winkleman calls it the greatest relationship of her career, framing their exit as a grateful, carefully timed handover after two decades shaping Saturday-night TV. They have also been honored for their broadcasting work with MBEs and recent awards, underlining their stature beyond a single program.
Tributes to Strictly Duo
Tributes poured in from judges, professionals, contestants, and BBC executives, repeatedly casting Daly and Winkleman as central to Strictly’s success. ITVX and The Independent note they were seen as iconic, essential figures. GB News highlights Anton Du Beke’s emotional response.
“Their exit prompted heartfelt tributes from Strictly professionals, contestants, judges, and BBC executives, all recognizing them as iconic figures essential to the show's success.”
Closer and 98FM stress the duo’s pact to leave together and the heartfelt nature of their joint Instagram announcement. This reinforced the sense of a carefully orchestrated, mutual exit embraced by the show’s community.
Media Exit and Industry Challenges
Several outlets place the exit within a context of broader turbulence and strategic recalibration.
The i Paper reports rising production costs of around £1 million per episode and potential format reductions.
Deadline and Grazia highlight scandals and internal investigations.
Radio Times notes investigations into participant care and allegations of bullying.
Alongside structural pressures, career dynamics are significant.
The Mirror reports that the BBC wants to retain both presenters with lower-commitment projects.
The Daily Mail states that Winkleman will host a new BBC chat show produced by the company behind The Graham Norton Show, indicating a shift rather than a withdrawal.
OK! Magazine previously reported pressure on Winkleman amid controversies, showing how rumors and strategic coverage are intertwined.
Speculation on Show Successors
Speculation about successors abounds and sometimes clashes. The Independent and The i Paper list names including Rylan Clark, Alison Hammond, Zoe Ball, Alan Carr, and Hannah Waddingham. Oxford Mail touts Amanda Holden and Alan Carr as frontrunners.
“Speculation about their replacements includes names like Rylan Clark, Alison Hammond, Zoe Ball, Alan Carr, and Hannah Waddingham...”
The Sun cites bookmakers favoring Holly Willoughby and others. LADbible pegs Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton as favorites, but Just Jared stresses that no details have been shared. IBTimes expects a farewell during the Christmas special, and the BBC says plans for 2026 will be announced later.
Notably, some reports conflict with the core facts. Radio News Hub claims the show is coming to an end, and the Lancashire Telegraph says Winkleman will continue with the show. Both statements contradict the joint departure narrative carried by most outlets.