Strictly stars say ‘it will not be the same’ after Daly and Winkleman leave show

Stars of Strictly Come Dancing have said the show “will not be the same” following the announcement of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman’s departure.

The co-hosts, who have fronted the series together since 2014, said they would be leaving the dance show at the end of the current series in a joint post to Instagram on Thursday.

The pair’s last appearance together on the long-running BBC One show will be its festive special, airing on Christmas Day this year.

Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood, dancers Michelle Tsiakkas and Nancy Xu, and former competitors Tasha Ghouri and Angela Scanlon were among those who said the show will not be the same when the presenting duo leave.

Their successors have yet to be announced, but pop star Robbie Williams joked in a social media post that he had received “a rather fancy phone call about a very glittery dance floor job”.

Former Strictly professional Ian Waite said an “iconic” replacement would be himself and former It Takes Two co-host Zoe Ball.

The 54-year-old told the Jeremy, Storm And Vanessa On 5 show: “I think it’s a shock for everybody. It’s certainly a shock for me this morning when I heard it.”

He added: “I think maybe the presenters realise that it is time for new blood, a change in Strictly, somehow.

“You know, it’s been said for quite a few years that it needs shaking up. So maybe this is the thing, the ideal thing to happen.”

Asked about recent controversies, including allegations about the behaviour of the show’s professional dancers, he said: “From the very word ‘go’ in the first season, it’s had, always, lots of dramas and lots of press, so many things have been happening.

“I don’t think it’s going anytime soon. I think that it’s a national institution… It’s just so big… 21 years later, and it’s still one of the biggest shows on TV.”

Strictly judge Anton Du Beke told the duo, “I’m going to miss you both terribly”, in a video posted to Instagram, and in another post, head judge Shirley Ballas said: “Hearing they’re leaving the ballroom has broken my heart.”

Other stars of the show expressed their sadness in the comments of Daly and Winkleman’s social media posts.

Welsh dancer Amy Dowden said: “Nooooo, absolutely gutted! Our beautiful strictly queens!”

Irish TV presenter Scanlon, 41, who performed with Carlos Gu in 2023, told Daly: “21 years. You are an inspiration. Your kindness on screen and well beyond.

“Your pure love of the show. Your warmth to every member of that audience – in studio and at home. An ICON. It won’t be the same without you.”

Elsewhere, It Takes Two co-host Fleur East said it was the “end of an era”, with dancer Katya Jones saying this is the “saddest news”.

Professional dancer Tsiakkas, 30, told Winkleman “it won’t be the same without you” and dancer Xu, 34, added: “It wouldn’t be the same without both of you! Gonna miss you both so very much.”

Former Love Island star Ghouri, 27, who was paired with Aljaz Skorjanec last year, said: “Won’t be the same without you both!! Iconic duo forever and always!”

Judge Revel Horwood, 60, simply said: “It will never be the same.”