Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, the face of Strictly Come Dancing for two decades, have finally hung up their hosting shoes after a 21-year run. The departure marks the end of an era for the BBC's longest-running live entertainment show, with its legacy as a cultural institution looking set to be cemented.
At the heart of Strictly has always been Tess Daly, the programme's sole permanent fixture since its inception in 2004. With over 500 episodes under her belt, Daly's record is truly impressive - a testament to her dedication and reliability behind the scenes. But it's not just her on-screen presence that has made Strictly tick; it's also her off-screen persona that has endeared her to audiences.
Daly's partnership with Claudia Winkleman has been at the heart of Strictly's success, forming a seamless double act that has captivated viewers for years. The duo's friendship is genuine and heartfelt, with both women openly praising each other in interviews. It's clear that their bond has played a significant role in making Strictly the feel-good programme it is today.
As hosts, Daly and Winkleman have been the perfect foil to the show's contestants, bringing warmth, humour, and a touch of glamour to the proceedings. But behind the scenes, they've been the unsung heroes, keeping the wheels turning smoothly even when things go awry. Their ability to think on their feet and respond to any situation that arises has been invaluable to the programme.
Daly's impact on Strictly cannot be overstated; she's a true original who has helped shape the show into what it is today. Her influence extends beyond her on-screen persona, with many crediting her for bringing women's football - via Karen Carney's participation in the 2024 series - to the forefront of mainstream broadcasting.
In a move that may be seen as premature by some, Daly and Winkleman have announced their departure from Strictly, marking the end of an era. The reaction on social media has been mixed, with many fans mourning the loss of their beloved hosts. However, it's clear that both women are looking forward to new challenges and adventures - and we can't wait to see what's next for these two incredible women.
While the future of Strictly remains uncertain, one thing is certain: Tess Daly will be deeply missed by audiences around the world. Her legacy as a presenter, host, and champion of women's broadcasting will continue to inspire new generations of performers and entertainers. As Claudia Winkleman so aptly put it, "Tess is my friend for life." We can't wait to see what she does next.
At the heart of Strictly has always been Tess Daly, the programme's sole permanent fixture since its inception in 2004. With over 500 episodes under her belt, Daly's record is truly impressive - a testament to her dedication and reliability behind the scenes. But it's not just her on-screen presence that has made Strictly tick; it's also her off-screen persona that has endeared her to audiences.
Daly's partnership with Claudia Winkleman has been at the heart of Strictly's success, forming a seamless double act that has captivated viewers for years. The duo's friendship is genuine and heartfelt, with both women openly praising each other in interviews. It's clear that their bond has played a significant role in making Strictly the feel-good programme it is today.
As hosts, Daly and Winkleman have been the perfect foil to the show's contestants, bringing warmth, humour, and a touch of glamour to the proceedings. But behind the scenes, they've been the unsung heroes, keeping the wheels turning smoothly even when things go awry. Their ability to think on their feet and respond to any situation that arises has been invaluable to the programme.
Daly's impact on Strictly cannot be overstated; she's a true original who has helped shape the show into what it is today. Her influence extends beyond her on-screen persona, with many crediting her for bringing women's football - via Karen Carney's participation in the 2024 series - to the forefront of mainstream broadcasting.
In a move that may be seen as premature by some, Daly and Winkleman have announced their departure from Strictly, marking the end of an era. The reaction on social media has been mixed, with many fans mourning the loss of their beloved hosts. However, it's clear that both women are looking forward to new challenges and adventures - and we can't wait to see what's next for these two incredible women.
While the future of Strictly remains uncertain, one thing is certain: Tess Daly will be deeply missed by audiences around the world. Her legacy as a presenter, host, and champion of women's broadcasting will continue to inspire new generations of performers and entertainers. As Claudia Winkleman so aptly put it, "Tess is my friend for life." We can't wait to see what she does next.
they've been the perfect hosts for 21 years & I think they've done an amazing job of keeping the show feel-good & entertaining 
but at the same time, I'm super excited to see what new adventures they have in store for them 
Tess has always been a true original & her influence on women's football is still so inspiring today 
️ anyway, I hope they know that their departure won't be forgotten anytime soon 
they've been a part of our lives for 21 years and have made Strictly Come Dancing into the iconic show it is today 
Claudia and Tess have had this amazing chemistry on screen that's made us fall in love with the show all over again 
Their friendship off-screen is just as genuine and heartwarming, it's no wonder they've been able to make Strictly feel like a big ol' family 
Wish them all the best for their future adventures 
I mean, it's finally over... 21 years is a looong time, even for the most dedicated hosting duo 
. Tess and Claudia are basically legends now - they've seen the rise and fall of contestants' careers (aka how many seasons do you have to be on before you get a decent dance number 
. But seriously, it's crazy they're hanging up their shoes - what's next for these two? Will they open a dance studio or take over the world (just kidding, maybe 
)? One thing's for sure, Strictly will never be the same without them 
They've been doing the same thing for 21 years! 
Tess has been a part of Strictly since day one, which is just amazing. Her dedication to the show is truly inspiring. I'm going to miss her warm and bubbly personality on TV, but I know she's excited for new adventures 
What do you guys think about their departure from Strictly? 
. Now that she's leaving, I'm curious to see what new adventures await her... and I hope we get some more Strictly Come Dancing news soon! 
. I think it's awesome that they're moving on to new adventures, but it's hard to imagine anyone else hosting the show in the same way 
. Tess is truly a legend behind the scenes too - her dedication and reliability have been instrumental in making Strictly the success it is today 
. And let's be real, who can forget those iconic moments of Claudia and Tess bantering back and forth on live TV? 
The future of Strictly might be uncertain, but one thing's for sure - these two fabulous women will always have a piece of our hearts 
what's next for these two incredible women? can't wait to see them shine in new projects 
️
. It's no surprise that the show will continue to be a cultural institution, though - it's had such a profound impact on British television over the years 
i mean dont get me wrong tess daly is an icon and all that but its gonna be weird not seeing her and claudia winkelman hosting it together 
these 2 are literally the face of the show for like 21 years and now they're just leaving? 
I'm gonna miss those two so much! They've been a part of my Sunday nights for years and their friendship is honestly the best thing about Strictly. I love how they've built a warm and welcoming atmosphere on screen, making everyone feel like a winner (except when they're laughing at the contestants' mishaps 
). Tess's dedication to the show is inspiring, and it's not surprising she's been there for 500 episodes - she's just got that extra special something. I'm excited to see what Claudia and Tess do next, but it's hard to imagine Strictly without them. 
they've been hosting strictly for like forever and it's crazy to think of them not being there anymore. i mean tess has been the face of the show since day one and her partnership with claudia is just perfect 
, so i have no doubt she'll continue to inspire and make a difference.