WALTZING OFF SHOCKER — After 20 glittering seasons, Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman’s sudden exit from Strictly Come Dancing wasn’t as spontaneous as fans thought. Sources reveal the duo made a secret pact over a year ago, vowing to leave together if the “cloud hanging over the show” ever grew too dark.
🎬 Insiders claim BBC execs were blindsided — the decision followed months of tense backstage talks, falling ratings, and a “final straw” moment during filming week 10.
✨ Now, whispers suggest one of them has already been offered a multi-million deal elsewhere… but the other might not be joining her
Real reason Tess Daly & Claudia Winkleman quit Strictly revealed – and secret pact pair made which left BBC ‘blindsided’
Insider reveals how pair were both aware of ‘cloud lingering over show’ and details factors that spurred on their decision
STRICTLY co-hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly agreed to quit the show nearly a year ago after a series of heart-to-heart chats.
The pair broke the shock news they are leaving after 12 years in a joint video yesterday.
Strictly co-hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly agreed to quit the show nearly a year ago, with BBC bosses blindsided by their departureCredit: BBC
Claudia and Tess broke the news they are departing in a joint videoCredit: Instagram
The pair are leaving Strictly Come Dancing after 12 yearsCredit: bbc
BBC bosses have been blindsided by their departure, with only a small number of people in the TV industry made aware of their intentions.
It’s understood they secretly filmed the exit video weeks ago — and released it mid-series so as not to overshadow the eventual winner.
Their last show will be on Christmas Day. A source said: “Claudia and Tess have known they were leaving Strictly since last year. They felt like it was their time to go.
“They discussed this privately and agreed they would walk away together, but kept it firmly under wraps.
“Claudia and Tess then told the BBC they would be signing a one-year deal and then calling it quits.
‘End on a high’
“It’s incredible they’ve managed to keep it a secret for so long. Only the top brass at the BBC knew, along with their immediate family.
“Strictly has been an incredible journey for them both and they have loved every second.”
It’s understood bosses and talent hold discussions every November about the following year’s show, and this is when Tess, 56, and Claudia, 53, are thought to have decided to leave.
Their decision may have been spurred by rumours that show boss Sarah James was due to leave.
She stayed despite bullying allegations against pro dancer Giovanni Pernice because she did not want to exit before the show was back on an even keel.
Ms James has yet to announce if she is staying on in 2026.
The Sun understands the success of Claudia’s solo gig on The Traitors and its celebrity version was also a factor.
On Wednesday 7.1million watched Celebrity Traitors, pipping the 6.9million who saw Strictly four days earlier.
An insider said: “Claudia has had a lot on her plate, with Strictly, Traitors, and Channel 4’s The Piano.
“She wanted to make sure she could also spend some time with her family and something had to give.
“Celebrity Traitors has become a juggernaut in its own right too, with a second series teed up next year. Claudia is loving every step of this adventure — and it’s only going to get bigger and better.”
They’ve had a ball for the past 13 years but naturally they are aware of the cloud that has been lingering over the show for some time
Source
Insiders also pointed to Strictly being mired in scandals for two years.
The Sun was first to reveal the Giovanni allegations in 2024, plus Graziano Di Prima’s sacking after he kicked celeb partner Zara McDermott during rehearsals.
The BBC now employs chaperones for contestants.
Earlier this year The Sun told how a Strictly star had been arrested on an allegation of rape — and how bosses were probing separate claims that two stars had abused cocaine.
Two weeks later the Met Police confirmed they were investigating the drug allegations.
The success of Claudia’s solo gig on The Traitors and its celebrity version was a factor in her decisionCredit: PA
Celebrity Traitors clocked more viewers than Strictly on WednesdayCredit: PA
Claudia joined Strictly in 2014, having hosted spin-off It Takes Two since 2004Credit: PA
Strictly’s ratings have also plunged.
This year’s first eviction show was watched by 6.6million down from a peak of 11.8million five years ago.
The show is also struggling to pull in big-name stars and has broken its old “reality TV ban” to sign the likes of Towie’s Pete Wicks and former Love Islander Dani Dyer.
We also told how bookers had struggled to attract women this year — with six taking part compared to nine men.
Tess hosted the first Strictly in 2004 alongside Sir Bruce Forsyth.
When he left in 2014 Claudia took over, having hosted spin-off It Takes Two since 2004.
A source said: “Claudia and Tess both felt this was the right time to leave. They’ve had a ball for 12 years but naturally are aware of the cloud that has been lingering over the show for some time.
“All of these things led them to decide to step back and let go.
“Their memories of Strictly are the best and they’re leaving with smiles on their faces.”
Fans were stunned by the co-hosts’ announcement. In a joint statement on Instagram they wrote: “Hosting Strictly has been an absolute dream. We were always going to leave together and now feels like the right time.”
Separately, Tess told her followers it was “time to say goodbye” and said she would remember Strictly as being about “joy, celebration, and bringing people together”.
Hailing mum-of-two Claudia, Tess added: “To my beloved Claud — what an absolute joy and pleasure it has been sharing this adventure with you.
“You’re one of a kind, and I’ll treasure every giggle, every live show, and every backstage moment we’ve shared.”
Strictly is a very tight knit family and everyone knows everyone’s business. But this was a bolt out of the blue for the celebs
Insider
A minute later, Claudia shared her own announcement and said: “I’ve always believed it’s best to leave a party before you’re fully ready to go.”
She added of 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.”
A second source explained why they chose to announce their exits now.
THEIR INSTAGRAM STATEMENT IN FULL
“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 & 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.”
Tess & Claud
‘Bolt out of the blue’
They said: “Quitting mid-series was a decision they made because Saturday night’s Strictly had the highest ratings of the series to date — with an audience share of 55 per cent.
“It also meant that they wouldn’t be overshadowing this year’s winner.
“Claudia and Tess always want the show to be about the celebs and their experiences and they didn’t want to take anything away from that.
“They know they can make the rest of the series a huge celebration. This is definitely their swansong and they’ll be planning a massive party for when the Glitterball Trophy is won.”
Tess Daly has been Strictly host since 2004Credit: PA
Tess hosted the first Strictly alongside Sir Bruce ForsythCredit: Pixel8000
Another insider said: “Tess and Claudia recorded their exit video ages ago and had it in their drafts folder since.
“They knew it was a big secret to keep but wanted to wait for the best time to release the video. They recorded it in a quiet moment backstage.”
A show staffer admitted the pros and celebrities were also shocked.
