The recent announcement of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman’s departure from the long-running BBC show “Strictly Come Dancing” surprised many in the UK. The duo, who have co-hosted the program since 2014, made the decision public last week. Tess, 56, has been part of the presenting team since 2004.
During their appearance on the show following the announcement, Claudia, 53, expressed gratitude for the supportive messages they received. She mentioned their remaining time on the series and their excitement about crowning a new Strictly champion.
Speculation has arisen about the future plans of both presenters post-Strictly. Tess, in a lighthearted comment to Hello!, joked about potentially joining Claudia on “Celebrity Traitors” but doubted her suitability due to her poor poker face.
In a recent interview, Tess, who received an MBE earlier this year for her contributions to broadcasting, emphasized the importance of her role as a mother to her daughters Phoebe and Amber, shared with Vernon Kay. Despite her successful career, Tess values being present in her children’s lives and cherishes her dual role as a mother and professional.
There have been suggestions that Tess and Claudia’s decision to exit the show may have been influenced by their recent accolades, with the timing allowing them to leave on a high note. Claudia’s career is on the rise with various TV opportunities, while Tess, after more than two decades of hosting, looks forward to spending more time with her family and friends on weekends.