The judge shared a candid reaction to the iconic duo’s exit announcement

Strictly Come Dancing judge Anton Du Beke has issued a candid response to the news presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman are set to leave the beloved BBC show.

The hosts announced the update on Thursday morning with a joint statement, and ever since fans, judges and dancers have shared heartfelt tributes to the pair, who have been involved with the show from its debut series in 2004.

Professional dancer Mr Du Beke, who switched the dancefloor for the judging panel in 2021, took to social media to share his response, admitting he was “devastated” by the news.

In a video posted to Instagram, he began: “Well, my loves. The saddest, saddest of news that you’re both going to be leaving Strictly Come Dancing, but the fondest of memories.

The duo paired a heartfelt statement on Instagram on Thursday morning announcing their exit

 | PA

“You two are extraordinary. I remember 20-odd years ago in 2004, introducing everybody to this new wonderful show called Strictly Come Dancing – the frist time I met you, Tess, and look what you did.

“You’ve introduced the world to this incredible, fabulous show of ours called Strictly Come Dancing.

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“You’ve been there since the beginning, you’ve been the flag-waver, the torchbearer, for our wonderful world of ballroom and Latin American dancing.”

The 59-year-old continued: “And also a friend, 20-something years of friendship.

“I’m going to miss you dearly on a Saturday night, and Claudia… the same.

“I mean it was series two when we got to meet the fabulous you. I’m devastated, but whatever choices you make, I know they’ll be the best for you.

“I love you both – I look forward to the rest of the series, you two are amazing.

“Strictly is what it is because of you, lots of love.”

The heartfelt video comes after it was announced on Thursday, October 23, that the beloved Strictly double act would be leaving the show after the current series, following their lengthy stint together.

The popular presenters have been part of the show since the very first series back in 2004, with Ms Daly initially hosting alongside the late Bruce Forsyth and Ms Winkleman presenting the series’ spin-off, It Takes Two.

In 2014, Ms Winkleman became a part of the main show following Mr Forsyth’s exit, with the two personalities cementing themselves as Strictly stalwarts in the years since.

In a statement shared by the pair on Thursday, Ms Winkleman and Ms Daly announced this current series would be their last.

The presenting duo have fronted BBC Strictly together for years | BBCIn a joint Instagram post, the two stated: “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.

Anton Du Beke has responded to the shock news of Claudia and Tess’ exit

| BBC“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.”