OPINION: Strictly’s Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announced their exit from the show earlier this week – and speculation is rife about their replacement.

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Debbie McGee is sharing her thoughts on the latest Strictly drama (Image: Express)

I have to start the column this week by addressing the news that Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman are leaving Strictly Come Dancing at the end of this series. I was so shocked when they announced their exit earlier this week., I don’t think anyone knew it was coming! I normally catch wind of the big Strictly gossip, but I had no clue about this, so I think everyone behind the scenes must have been gobsmacked.

There is a lot of speculation about why they’ve decided to quit, but I do genuinely think it’s a case of them realising there is life outside of Strictly. Tess, especially, has been doing the show for so many years. I think they both just needed a change and had the time to do other things. I also think it’s lovely they’ve decided to go together. I can’t imagine one without the other now, and I don’t think viewers would either!

I think it will be very interesting to see who they are replaced with, and I think the Strictly bosses are going to have to be very wise about their decision. The first name that sprang to mind for me was Bradley Walsh. I think they need a new Bruce-like presenter, and he is very funny and charming, and I think it would be nice to see him host with a woman. The guy-girl dynamic really worked with Bruce and Tess.

Tess and Claudia announced their exit (Image: BBC)

While it is going to be very tempting for bosses to try and give the show a big revamp, I really think they need to avoid going with someone who hasn’t been presenting for very long. It’s such a beloved show, it needs a big name and someone who has been in the industry for years and knows what they’re doing.

But the show must go on! Last night, Lewis Cope and Alex Kingston were my top two. I really enjoyed watching them both, and thought they were the best technically as well. I will be really surprised if Alex doesn’t make it to the final. She looks so easy and effortless when she dances, it is always so enjoyable to watch. I thought Amber Davies and La Voix really seemed to struggle.

Lewis was the stand out star of the show last night (Image: BBC)

La Voix has a great partnership with Aljaz, but I don’t think she is improving as quickly as everyone else is. I wouldn’t be surprised if she ends up in a bit of trouble on the leaderboard very soon. There are some people, like Vicky Pattison, who are going a little under the radar at the moment, but I think could end up really surprising us by going all the way to the end. But only time will tell!

I was absolutely gobsmacked when I found out the name of the celebrity being axed tonight! I would never have guessed that at all, and I had been right each week so far. I really thought they had a few more weeks in them, so I think it is definitely the first Strictly shock of the series!

I was stunned at both names in the bottom two, and had been expecting to see two very different names, but I wonder if it’s just the public aren’t backing them. I really hope the surviving celebrity doesn’t let this knock their confidence. There are always twists and turns with this show, but I’m not sure the right person went this week. It just shows how important it is for people to vote for their favourites.

This series is really shaping up into a nail-biter, but I wouldn’t be surprised if we end up having some more controversial exits soon, it really is anyone’s game. Everyone is certainly under pressure to keep up the training and making sure they’re bringing their A-game to try and win the viewers over. I can’t wait to see what happens next!

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