Strictly reaches end of an era as Claudia and Tess depart – so what now for the BBC’s most glittering jewel?

by

It seems like Strictly Come Dancing is making headlines for reasons other than the dancing again. This time, the news is that hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have decided to leave the show after presenting it together since 2014.

A friend who’s a journalist told me there was a shared moment of shock in the newsroom when the story broke this morning. While it might not be as important as some of the major world events we’ve seen lately, it’s a really significant development for the British entertainment industry.

For ten years, Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have successfully hosted one of the few remaining hugely popular Saturday night TV shows. Like the original hosts of The Great British Bake Off, Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins, their presence as women in such a prominent role is noteworthy. Taking over from legendary presenters like Bruce Forsyth, Morecambe and Wise, and The Two Ronnies, Daly and Winkleman have truly made the show their own.

Strictly Come Dancing is still a huge hit after 21 years! Unlike other talent shows from its era – like Fame Academy, Pop Idol, and X Factor – and even long-running shows like Saturday Night Takeaway, Strictly has continued to thrive. Its winning combination of celebrities paired with professional dancers, learning ballroom, and performing for the audience remains both comforting and fresh, thanks to new couples and their unique stories.

It appeals to people everywhere, no matter where they’re from or what language they speak. Broadcast in over 60 countries, it’s still one of the BBC’s most successful and valuable programs.

The show was facing a difficult situation as it marked its 20th anniversary, requiring internal investigations and significant changes to improve the well-being of everyone involved. At the time, I hoped the show itself would recapture its usual charm and help people look past the issues – and it did. Comedian Chris McCausland, who is blind, delivered a truly inspiring performance that captivated the audience.

After five weeks of the show, the BBC typically hopes any early controversies will die down. Usually, discussions about whether contestants like Thomas Skinner, with his strong opinions, should be allowed to compete, or whether Amber Davies’ professional dance background gave her an unfair advantage, would be overshadowed by viewers enjoying performances like Alex Kingston’s Rumba.

Through all the recent ups and downs, Daly and Winkleman have consistently been the steady and delightful guides on this often unpredictable journey.

Honestly, I’m sure some BBC exec already has a shortlist of potential replacements brewing, and their PR team will be all over this, talking about how it’s a chance for a fresh start. But with everything else going on at the BBC lately – the drama with Match of the Day, MasterChef, all of it – they really didn’t need another headache right now. It feels like one thing after another, and frankly, it’s a bit much.

Their most important strength has recently suffered two major setbacks, and they’ll need to address these issues carefully to avoid a complete failure.

Strictly Come Dancing continues on BBC One and iPlayer on Saturday 25th October at 6:20pm.

Don’t miss Strictly Come Dancing! Add it to your watchlist on the TopMob: What to Watch app. Download the app now for daily TV recommendations and features.

Read More

2025-10-23 18:06