The departure of both Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman is a significant loss for the show, but a former professional dancer believes it could lead to positive changes and a fresh start.
The pair announced on Thursday, via a video on Instagram, that they were leaving their BBC show after 21 happy years. They said it was time to move on and let someone else take over.
Tess, age 56, has been with the show since it began in 2004. Claudia, 53, joined in 2013, taking over after the passing of Sir Bruce Forsyth.
Oh my gosh, Tess was SO emotional! She basically said Strictly isn’t just a show, it’s like another child, a whole second family! Can you believe it’s been a part of her life since 2004?! And Claudia? She called hosting Strictly the best thing that’s ever happened to her professionally. It’s just… everything! They both clearly adore it, and honestly, it shows. It’s just magical to watch, knowing how much it means to them.
James Jordan, a former professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing who appeared on the show for eight years (2006-2013), believes the recent departure of someone from the show is significant, and their replacement will have a lot to live up to.
He thinks Tess and Claudia didn’t leave because of the show’s history with bullying controversies, which have recently damaged its family-friendly reputation.
He believes management needs to act decisively, both by finding a strong new cast member and letting go of some of the professional dancers who have been on the show for too long.
In an interview with the Daily Mail, he shared his positive experiences working with Tess and Claudia. He stated he has nothing negative to say about either of them, and would be upfront if he did. He described them both as welcoming and friendly, and expressed only positive sentiments.
Will the show go on? Absolutely. It’s incredibly popular and well-established. Even if we replaced everyone – the judges and dancers – it would still be a success because the show’s format is just that strong.
It’s a shame to see them both leave at once, but if the show is going to undergo such significant changes, I think it’s time to shake up the lineup of professional dancers.
The show would benefit from bringing in some new professional dancers. While I don’t want to call anyone out specifically, some of the current pros aren’t performing at their best, and it’s time for a change. It’s important to recognize when it’s time to retire.
James, husband of ex-Strictly dancer Ola Jordan, believes Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman are key to the show’s long-running success and popularity, thanks to their engaging on-screen chemistry.
He shared that he had a strong affection for both Tess and Claudia, and felt privileged to have worked alongside them for all eight of his seasons on Strictly Come Dancing, just as he and Bruce Forsyth both left the show in the same year.
Claudia is genuinely hilarious – I’ll never forget seeing her on ‘It Takes Two’ when I first started. She had me laughing so much! She’s also incredibly friendly and has a really unique personality – she’s fantastic at her job. And Tess has always been wonderful to both Ola and me, consistently offering her support.
Okay, I’m completely devastated! They are Strictly Come Dancing, as far as I’m concerned – the very foundation of the whole show! I’ve been watching since day one and honestly, I can’t imagine it without them. They’ve been absolutely crucial to its success, and the thought of them both leaving together… it feels like a massive deal, a real turning point. It just won’t be the same, ever!
It’s amusing to think about what would happen if one of them went out while the other stayed home, especially knowing they’re both actually going. I can’t picture Claudia’s room being used by professional dancers – it’s always a funny thought. Anyone who tries to follow in their footsteps has a lot to live up to.
It seems they’ve been close friends for a long time, maybe even made an agreement years ago. They’ve definitely worked together on the show for many years.
Recently, the BBC show has faced several controversies. These included accusations of bullying against dancers Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima, which ultimately led to both of them leaving the program.
The so-called ‘Strictly Curse,’ known for causing problems in relationships, has unfortunately brought some drama to the otherwise family-friendly show.
James, the entertainment betting expert at Freebets.com, insists that the departures of Tess and Claudia aren’t related to betting patterns. He shared this exclusively with Freebets.com, a leading site for finding the best betting options.
He firmly denied any connection between the scandals and his colleagues, explaining that the show’s success meant it was bound to attract some issues, just like anything else in life. He suggested these things happen to everyone, regardless of their profession.
They definitely wouldn’t want something like that to happen during filming, but I don’t think it was the reason they decided to leave the show. It doesn’t reflect poorly on them at all. It’s just really surprising, especially so late in the season.
As a longtime fan, I was surprised by the recent changes – I’m not sure if it was the showrunners’ call or something from the BBC, but it feels like a really big deal. Honestly, after twenty years, maybe the series did need a bit of a shake-up to stay fresh.
As a huge fan of the show, I’m really gutted to hear Tess and Claudia are leaving after this series! James, who was a fantastic dancer and partnered with celebrities like Denise Van Outen, Gabby Logan, and Vanessa Feltz, says their departure will be a massive loss, and honestly, I completely agree. It’s going to feel so different without them!
He thinks departing leaders should use their departure as an opportunity to revamp their teams, bringing in a replacement with truly innovative ideas and a fresh perspective.
When asked about potential replacements, James admitted it was difficult to imagine anyone fitting the role.
I really like some TV presenters, such as Bradley Walsh, but I’m not sure if he’d suit a show like Strictly Come Dancing. I also think Vernon Kay is a fantastic host who doesn’t get enough credit.
‘Rylan Clark? I’m not saying no… Stacey Dooley, erm… not for me but okay.
I enjoy Roman Kemp. I think they should be more innovative and try something different instead of sticking to what’s expected.
Honestly, I’m just really hoping we can open things up and give some new faces a chance. It feels like we always rely on the same individuals, and while they’re great, I think we’d all benefit from bringing in some fresh perspectives. It’s time to see what others can do!
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2025-10-24 02:38