Why Are Tess and Claudia Leaving Strictly Come Dancing?

The End of an Era for Strictly Come Dancing

British television history has been made as Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly have quit Strictly Come Dancing after 21 years hosting the show. The announcement, which came in October 2025, has left fans heartbroken as the beloved presenting duo prepare to hang up their sequins and say goodbye to the BBC’s flagship entertainment programme.

The significance of their departure cannot be overstated. The two made history as primetime television’s first female presenting duo when they paired up to co-host the show in 2014, and they have become synonymous with Saturday night sparkle and glamour ever since.

Why Are They Leaving Now?

On Thursday 23rd October, the duo released a lengthy statement on their Instagram accounts announcing that they’d be stepping back from the BBC One dancing competition. In their emotional message, they said: “We were always going to leave together and now feels like the right time”.

Claudia Winkleman offered further insight into the decision, explaining that “I’ve always believed it’s best to leave a party before you’re fully ready to go”. Both presenters expressed immense gratitude for their time on the show, with Winkleman describing it as “the greatest relationship of my career”.

A Tearful Goodbye

The final, which saw former Lioness Karen Carney and her professional partner Carlos Gu lift the glitterball trophy, marked the duo’s last live episode of the show. The emotional sign-off on Sunday featured tributes from Queen Camilla, judges, and celebrities, with both presenters visibly moved by the occasion.

The BBC have confirmed the presenting duo’s last appearance together on screen will be on the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special which will air on Christmas Day on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. As the curtain falls on this remarkable partnership, fans and colleagues alike are celebrating the legacy of two women who brought warmth, humour, and genuine friendship to British television screens for over a decade.

What This Means for Strictly’s Future

Kate Phillips, chief content officer for the BBC, described the announcement as the “end of an era”, with the co-hosts being “integral” to the show’s success. The search for new hosts will undoubtedly be one of the most watched television decisions of 2026, as the BBC seeks to fill what many consider impossible shoes to fill.