Claudia Winkleman has provided fresh insight into her and Tess Daly's decision to step down from hosting Strictly Come Dancing, describing it as a "momentous" move after years on the beloved BBC show.
The Decision to Depart
In an exclusive interview, Winkleman revealed that the idea to leave the dancing competition first occurred to both presenters approximately one year before their official departure in October 2025. The 54-year-old television personality emphasized that their exit was not prompted by the various scandals that had affected the program in recent seasons, but rather from a shared belief that the show would benefit from new energy and perspectives.
"It occurred to both of us about a year before," Winkleman told MailOnline. "The show deserves new. We wanted to leave when we were on an absolute high."
Addressing the Scandals
When specifically questioned about whether the controversy surrounding professional dancer Giovanni Pernice and former contestant Amanda Abbington influenced their decision—a situation that prompted an internal review of behind-the-scenes conduct—Winkleman was unequivocal in her response.
"Absolutely not," she stated firmly. "It is a genuinely beautiful show to be part of. Almost every single person who's taken part is happy they did. So no, it wasn't that."
Emotional Aftermath
Winkleman described the emotional weight of their final appearance during the live finale in December 2025. After she and Daly completed their last piece to camera, Winkleman went to her husband, film producer Kris Thykier, and broke down in tears.
"It was 20 years of my life," she reflected, highlighting the significance of her tenure with the program, which included hosting the sister show It Takes Two beginning in 2004 before joining the main presentation team alongside Daly in 2014.
Royal Recognition
The departing hosts received special recognition during their final episode when Queen Camilla sent a heartfelt message that was read aloud by judge Craig Revel Horwood. The Queen praised the pair's "warmth, compassion and sheer happiness," crediting these qualities as fundamental to the show's enduring success.
"I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly fab-u-lous," the monarch's message concluded.
Looking Forward
While Winkleman remained discreet about potential replacements, industry speculation strongly suggests Zoe Ball and Alex Jones as leading contenders to take over hosting duties. An official announcement is anticipated during the summer months, ahead of the new series launching in September.
Daly, 56, began her Strictly journey 21 years ago alongside the late Sir Bruce Forsyth, establishing the program as a cornerstone of British television. Their joint statement in October 2025 described hosting the show as "an absolute dream," though it did not elaborate on specific reasons for their departure at that time.
Future Projects
Winkleman will not be leaving television screens entirely. She continues her presenting role on the popular reality competition The Traitors and its celebrity version, while also preparing to launch her own BBC chat show scheduled for March. This new venture will keep her prominently engaged in broadcasting while allowing Strictly Come Dancing to evolve with fresh leadership.
The departure marks the end of a significant era for one of Britain's most cherished entertainment programs, with both hosts leaving on their own terms to ensure the show's continued vitality and appeal to audiences across the nation.
