Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly have announced they will be leaving the ballroom behind them and be quitting their roles as Strictly Come Dancing hosts.
In a joint statement on Instagram, the pair wrote: “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 and 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.”
As well as their joint statement, Ms Winkleman also took to Instagram to release a heartfelt farewell message of her own.
Alongside a snap of her with Ms Daly, the Traitors star penned: “It’s very difficult to put into words exactly what Strictly has meant to me.
BBC Strictly hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly are leaving the show
|
BBC“It’s been the greatest relationship of my career. From working on It Takes Two in 2004 until now it has been my everything, the show I will be eternally grateful for.
“I will never forget Len Goodman trying to teach me what a cucaracha is (I still don’t know) and the complete thrill and honour it was to work with Tess on the results show to cohosting on Saturday nights.
“Strictly is a magical, glittery, fake tanned train and it’s been a privilege to be a tiny part of it. The extraordinary talent of the dancers, the band, the hair and makeup and costume teams, the unbelievable production crew and creatives – all utterly amazing.
“I’ve always believed it’s best to leave a party before you’re fully ready to go and I know the new hosts will be magnificent, I look forward to watching them take Strictly to new heights.
“As for 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.” (sic)
Inevitably, it didn’t take long for fans, famous faces, and current Strictly stars to take to the comments of the post to express their heartbreak.
Reigning champion professional dancer Dianne Buswell replied to Ms Winkleman’s post: “Claud… quite simply put I love you.”
And fellow pro dancer Carlos Gu echoed: “I love you!!!!!!!!!! And it’s sad to see you go!!!!”
BBC Strictly: Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly
|
BBCMeanwhile, one of the frontrunner celebs for the current series, Amber Davies, weighed in: “You are EVERYTHING.”
Other pros flocked to the pair’s joint statement on Ms Daly’s page, with Karen Hauer echoing: “I love you both so much. Powerhouse duo.”
Gorka Marquez, who’s currently taking a break from the show to star in its Spanish counterpart, shared a series of love heart emojis alongside the simple message: “Love you both”
And former champ Oti Mabuse weighed in: “Wow, how devastating. You two have been incredible to work with – thank you so much for all the beautiful memories, for representing female presenters, being iconic, the laughs and years of family you’ve given all us.”
Ms Mabuse went on: “From the beginning, you were the highlight of our weekends! Wish you both luck – I will miss you so much!!!”
And TV presenter Rylan was also among the famous faces paying tribute: “Adore you both the world. The biggest pleasure working with you both. Pair of icons xxx.” (sic)
Both presenters have been involved with Strictly since its inception. Ms Daly fronted the show with the late Bruce Forsyth while Ms Winkleman hosted the spin-off series, It Takes Two.
In 2010, Ms Winkleman made the move to fronting the results show with Ms Daly, and it was in 2014 that she was made a permanent co-host of the flagship series.
