The Strictly Come Dancing presenters announced their departure from the show in a joint statement

Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman leave Strictly

The shock departure of Tess Daly, 56, and Claudia Winkleman, 53, from Strictly Come Dancing, which they announced in a joint statement on Thursday October 20, is said to have been motivated by rumours show boss Sarah James is planning to leave at the end of this season. James was promoted to executive producer in 2019 after five years working on the show. In her time in charge, she has had to weather several scandals including bullying allegations against pro dancer Giovanni Pernice.

Another star Graziano di Prima also exited as a pro dancer after it emerged he kicked celebrity partner Zara McDermott once during a rehearsal. This year saw further scandals when footage emerged of contestant Wynne Evans making a sexual remark about It Takes Two host Janette Manrara. The show was also hit by a drugs scandal with two stars reportedly being investigated after using cocaine. Although James has not announced if she will remain with the show in 2026, it is reported she did not want to exit before the show was back on an even keel.

Strictly’s Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman real exit reason ‘exposed’

Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman withStrictly Come Dancing boss Sarah James (Image: Getty)

James, who previously worked on the ITV juggernaut The X Factor, spoke of her love of the show in a 2022 interview with Huff Post. “I genuinely get quite emotional when I think about the difference Strictly made to my life, the friends I’ve made and how I’ve changed as a person.

“When I started on the show, I was single for quite a lot of the first few years and now I’m with my partner and we’ve got a baby and we’ve moved away – and all the time, Strictly has been this constant thing with me.

“I literally love it, it’s like another baby to me. And everybody on the team feels the same…It’s just such a special show, I can’t tell you.”

Alongside James’ uncertain future on the programme. Cladia Winkleman’s soaring career is also said to have had an influence in the pair’s decision. In recent years she has seen her star ascend as host of The Traitors and its celebrity version alongside Channel 4’s surprise hit The Piano.

Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have announced they are leaving Strictly Come Dancing 

“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,” a source

“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.”

BBC bosses were said to have been blindsided by the pair’s departure after they released a joint statement confirming the news on Instagram.

They will leave the show following this year’s final on December 20 but will last appear on screens on Christmas Day in the festive special