Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announce they are leaving Strictly
They've released statements!
Last updated 23rd Oct 2025
Strictly Come Dancing hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have announced they are leaving the show, both releasing statements on Thursday 23rd October to confirm the rumours.
Are Tess and Claudia leaving Strictly?
Yes, the pair have announced they will both leave their presenting roles on the hit BBC entertainment show.
Why are they leaving?
Tess, who has been on the show for a huge 21 years, shared a lengthy statement to her Instagram page, revealing the time has come to say goodbye to the show.
She wrote: 'After 21 unforgettable years, the time has come to say goodbye to Strictly Come Dancing. It's hard to put into words what this show has meant to me, so here it goes...
'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'.
Read her full statement in the embed below:
Claudia, who joined the main show in 2014, wrote on her own Instagram page: '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 co-hosting 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.' (sic)
The pair also released a joined statement in a video, saying: "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."
When are they leaving?
The pair will leave at the end of this current 23rd series.
Who will replace Tess and Claudia?
It hasn't yet been revealed who will replace Tess and Claudia.
When did they join Strictly?
Tess Daly has been a co-host on Strictly since the first series back in 2004, co-presenting alongside the late Sir Bruce Forsyth. Tess has appeared on every single series of the hit entertainment show.
Claudia also joined the Strictly family in 2004, hosting the spin-off show Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two. In 2014, Claudia took over from Bruce Forsyth as a presenter on the main series.
Will Strictly be back next year?
BBC bosses are yet to announce if Strictly Come Dancing will return for a 24th series in 2026.
Check out all of this year's Strictly couples below:
Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon
Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin
George Clarke and Alexis Warr
Lewis Cope and Katya Jones
Karen Carney and Carlos Gu
Alex Kingston and Johannes Radebe: ELIMINATED
La Voix and Aljaž Škorjanec: FORCED TO WITHDRAW
Drag Queen La Voix was forced to pull out of the competition ahead of Blackpool week. Hosts Tess and Claudia said: "As you may have heard La Voix sustained an injury meaning she can't dance in Blackpool tonight. Following further advice from our medical team, we can now confirm very sadly that she has had to withdraw from the competition."
Vicky Pattison and Kai Widdrington: ELIMINATED
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and Karen Hauer: ELIMINATED
Ellie Goldstein and Vito Coppola: ELIMINATED
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Lauren Oakley: ELIMINATED
Stefan Dennis and Dianne Buswell: FORCED TO WITHDRAW
After four weeks in the competition, Neighbours star Stefan Dennis announced he'd been forced to quit the competition, revealing he'd torn his calf muscle.
Chris Robshaw and Nadiya Bychkova: ELIMINATED
Ross King and Jowita Przystal: ELIMINATED
Thomas Skinner and Amy Dowden: ELIMINATED
Dani Dyer and Nikita Kuzmin: FORCED TO WITHDRAW
Just days ahead of her first live performance, Dani released a statement to announce she'd had to pull out of the series after suffering a fractured ankle in training. It has now been confirmed that Amber Davies will replace her and pair with Nikita.