Daly and Winkleman to Leave Strictly

Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announced in a pre-recorded joint video that they will leave Strictly Come Dancing at the end of the current series after 21 and 11 years on the show, saying “now feels like the right time” and vowing to remain until the series concludes, including the Christmas special. They said the decision was mutual and planned over months, and while they framed it as a wish to ‘pass the baton’ and spend more time with family, PR experts say the timing may also reflect reputational caution amid recent scandals, leaks and wider creative changes at the show. The BBC confirmed the hosts’ decision and colleagues including Anton Du Beke and Oti Mabuse expressed visible shock and emotional reactions. Insiders linked Winkleman’s growing schedule and success on shows such as The Traitors — and reported interest from ITV — to her desire to pursue other opportunities. The exit follows a turbulent 2024 season that included misconduct allegations and probes and has intensified speculation about leadership and creative shifts at Strictly. Bookmakers and media are already naming potential successors, with names floated including Zoe Ball, Holly Willoughby, Roman Kemp and Paddy McGuinness, while commentators predict Claudia will pursue selective high-profile TV roles and Daly may move into daytime or international presenting.