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Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman to leave Strictly Come Dancing

  • On Thursday, Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announced on Instagram they will step down at the end of this series, with their final appearance on Christmas Day this year.
  • With production costs under scrutiny, the exit could allow the scandal-hit show to reset and BBC Studios to explore cost-cutting, while Claudia Winkleman pursues opportunities with Netflix and US streamers, industry figures said.
  • Tess Daly has fronted the show for 21 years, and Claudia Winkleman has co-hosted since 2014 after hosting It Takes Two; the 200-strong production team faces an emotional atmosphere amid the current Strictly series.
  • Colleagues and stars reacted that the show 'will not be the same' and posted tributes, with successors like Zoe Ball, Roman Kemp, Holly Willoughby and Rylan Clark floated.
  • With production costs high, BBC Studios could consider savings as part of reformatting, the BBC said plans for Strictly Come Dancing 2026 will be confirmed in due course, and industry figures note Winkleman's US appeal.
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Wales Online broke the news in Wales, United Kingdom on Thursday, October 23, 2025.
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