Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly announce they are leaving Strictly Come Dancing
Claudia Winkleman (left) and Tess Daly have announced they are leaving Strictly Come Dancing (Guy Levy/BBC/PA)
hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly have announced they are leaving the BBC dance programme.
In a joint statement shared on Instagram on Thursday, the co-hosts, who have fronted the series together since 2014, said they would be leaving the show together at the end of the current series.
“We have loved working as a duo and hosting Strictly has been an absolute dream,” they said.
“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.”
Daly, 56, presented the series since it first launched in 2004 alongside the late Bruce Forsyth, while Winkleman, 53, fronted its weekday companion show, .
The TV presenter eventually moved on to host the Sunday night results show alongside Daly and joined the main show every Saturday from 2014, after Forsyth stepped down.
The pair picked up the entertainment programme gong at the Bafta TV Awards in 2024.
Following the announcement, the duo both shared separate posts on their Instagram pages with a string of photographs.
Winkleman said: “It’s very difficult to put into words exactly what has meant to me. It’s been the greatest relationship of my career.
“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 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.”
Winkleman began her career as a TV and radio presenter fronting a range of BBC TV shows including and .
She went on to present a range of programmes on BBC Radio 2 until 2024, including the comedy quiz series , the and .
The Bafta-winning broadcaster also presents the hit BBC game show , and its spin-off series, , and won best entertainment performance at the 2023 awards.
Daly also shared a statement which read: “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.
“From that very first series, I had the great honour of standing alongside the incomparable Sir Bruce Forsyth. Brucie set the tone for everything that Strictly became: warmth, wit, connection and pure showbiz magic.
“Thank you for the laughter, the friendship and the countless memories over all these years. You’ve filled my heart in ways I’ll never forget. I’ll miss you all so much.
“To my beloved Claud – what an absolute joy and pleasure it has been sharing this adventure with you. You’re one of a kind, and I’ll treasure every giggle, every live show, and every backstage moment we’ve shared. I’m so grateful to have you as my friend for life.”
Daly first appeared on TV in 1999 as the host of ’s Find Me A Model competition on Channel 4.
She went on to present a range of shows and awards including ITV’s makeover show , replacing Ulrika Jonsson in 2003, co-hosted Channel 5’s with Richard Bacon and presented the annual charity appeal show numerous times.
