Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly’s ‘real reasons’ for leaving Strictly revealed

Claudia Winkleman in a black dress (left) and Tess Daly in a red dress hosting Strictly Come Dancing — Beyond it being ‘the right time’, why else could Claudia Winkelman and Tess Daly have left Strictly Come Dancing? (Picture: PA)

AsTess DalyandClaudia Winklemanbid adieu toStrictly Come Dancingin a shock move, what reallyprompted the exit?

Daly, 56, has been on theBBCreality series for 21 years since the show started in 2004, withthe Winkleman joining her on the ballroom floorin 2011 – truly marking the end of an era.

The iconic hosting duoannounced their departure earlier this week in the middle of the latest season to address the ‘rumblings’ happening along the grapevine that something big was coming to shake Strictly up.

‘After 21 wonderfully joyful years on Strictly, we have decided that the time is right to step aside and pass over the baton,’ Daly said in thesocial mediavideo, with The Traitors host adding: ‘The very sparkly baton.’

Meanwhile, in a statement, BBC Chief Content Officer Kate Phillips admitted she ‘can’t quite believe I’m saying this’ as she reacted to the news.

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But what were the ‘real reasons’ the pair decided to go?

Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman pose with the Best Talent show award during the NTAs 2024 — There’s no doubt that the duo are integral to the show (Picture: Getty)

Why did Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly ‘really leave’ Strictly Come Dancing?

In a follow-up statement, Phillips simply told The Mirror that ‘they’ve decided it’s time to hang up the glitter ball and get their weekends back.’ Their last show is set to be on Christmas Day.

One insider has toldthe Daily Mailthat with Winkleman’s career ‘moving up a level’, she is reportedly ready to explore opportunities outside of Strictly – even going as far as ITV.

According to sources, Daly decided to leave with Winkleman as the two had decided to move on together whenever it happened.

The insider said: ‘There’s been talk of some very interesting projects which [Winkleman] simply can’t commit to because of Strictly, as it takes up a third of the year, so she felt that to maximise her ambition, she had to leave Strictly.

‘Leaving the show has been on Tess’s mind for a few years but Claudia leaning towards leaving made it an easier decision.’

Before adding: ‘They always had a pact to leave together and they wanted to adhere to that. They come as a pair, when it comes to Strictly, so going out together made perfect sense.’

More generally,The Piano presenter’s busy schedule is said to have contributed to her choice to pull back from Strictly.

Who could replace Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly on Strictly Come Dancing?

The latest odds for who could step into their dance shoes are already rolling.

Who are the top names?

Roman Kemp: The 32-year-old One Show host has plenty of experience under his belt to take on this next challenge.

Fleur East: Following in Winkleman’s footsteps, TV and radio host Fleur East could very well make the leap from It Takes Two to the main show.

Janette Manrara: Once a pro on the show, this Strictly veteran could make the leap from dancer to host.

You can read the full list here.

Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly — With showrunner Sarah James rumoured to be leaving and Winkleman’s schedule busier than ever – insiders have shared various reasons (Picture: BBC/Ray Burmiston)

An insider told The Sun: ‘Claudia has had a lot on her plate, with Strictly, Traitors, and Channel 4’s The Piano.

‘She wanted to make sure she could also spend some time with her family and something had to give.

‘Celebrity Traitorshas become a juggernaut in its own right too, with a second series teed up next year. Claudia is loving every step of this adventure – and it’s only going to get bigger and better.’

Indeed, after three civilian seasons and in the midst of the first celebrity version, the hit strategy show has proven it is only growing bigger.

Not only did it draw in a whopping 7.1 million viewers for episode five (outperforming Strictly’s 6.9m), but it has already been renewed for a second all-star spin-off and two more regular seasons, at least.

Claudia Winkleman in official promo for The Traitors — There’s no denying the sheer success of The Traitors (Picture: BBC/Studio Lambert/CodyBurridge)

Elsewhere, a source toldThe Sun, however, that another reason that may have prompted the decision – which is understood to have been made last November – is due to rumours that the show’s boss, Sarah James, is also on her way out.

James has helmed a turbulent few years for the series as itfaced a litany of troublesfrom misconduct and bullying accusations towards former prosGiovanni PerniceandGraziano Di Primatoaccusations of drug use on the show.

The showrunner has yet to announce whether she will return for the 2026 season.

Their departure from the show has been felt far and wide, with judgeShirley Ballassharinga touching message paying homageto their long-lasting presence on the show.

‘I have truly never met two more remarkable ladies. Their dedication, grace, humour and sheer hard work has helped make Strictly the magical show that it is. Their energy lifts the ballroom, and their friendship is truly beautiful,’ she wrote amid a wider tribute.

And some are already vying for the job, withTake That icon Robbie Williamstaking to social media to joke: ‘Just got a rather fancy phone call about a very glittery dance floor job. Apparently, sequins and tuxedos might be in my future.’

Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One this Saturday at 6:25pm.

Metro has reached out to Tess Daly andClaudia Winkleman’s representatives for comment, as well as theBBC.

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