Strictly hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have quit the show – but insiders say the real reason is far more explosive

Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announced their departure (Image: bbd)

Strictly legends Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman are stepping away from the ballroom after years at the helm of the BBC’sbiggest entertainment show. The long-standing presenting duo announced they will bow out together to “go out at the top,” but sources now claim the move comes amid growing unease behind the scenes and fears of further scandals engulfing the series. In a move that stunned viewers, Tess and Claudia confirmed their departure in an emotional video, revealing they will present their final episode together on Christmas Day during the annual Strictly Come Dancing festive special.

The announcement was made mid-series, catching even members of the Strictly cast and crew off guard. According to insiders, the pair had quietly informed senior BBC bosses weeks ago, but chose to break the news directly to fans online. Many production staff were reportedly left stunned, learning the news at the same time as viewers when the video was posted online. A TV insider told The Mirror: “The feeling is Tess and Claudia wanted to go out at the top and whilst the show is still huge and shortly after they received MBEs.

The pair announced their were leaving on social media with a video (Image: instagram)

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“Announcing it mid series also gives them a bit of a swansong and doesn’t take the spotlight away from the winner.”

Another source suggested the timing wasn’t only about legacy, but strategic after a turbulent run for the show.

“The recent scandals around the show have also impacted the ratings a little bit and there might be more around the corner, so they weighed it up and feel it is the right time to quit,” they revealed.

Claudia’s career has skyrocketed thanks to her hit series The Traitors, which has made her one of the most in-demand presenters in British television.

“Claudia is right at her career peak with The Traitors and other TV offers flooding in,” the insider added.

As for Tess, sources say her decision is driven by a desire to reclaim time with her family after more than 20 years on the Strictly schedule: “Tess has been hosting the show for more than two decades and likes the idea of more weekends with her family and her friends.”

The presenters have always been fiercely loyal to each other, and their long-rumoured pact to leave together has now come to pass.

A second source close to them added: “They always said they would go together when they felt right and it just feels right this year.”

In a joint statement, the pair told fans: “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.”

They added: “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.”

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