I was absolutely shocked when I heard Tess and Claudia were leaving Strictly! It was such unexpected news, and honestly, nobody wanted to hear it. They’re both amazing and it’s hard to imagine the show without them!
The announcement arrived on a typical Thursday morning during the show’s 2025 season. Before viewers realized what was happening, the hosts had announced their departure and delivered their final “Keep dancing” sign-off.
Watching their last dance was so emotional! It was beautiful how they were led onto the ballroom floor on Christmas Day to say goodbye. It really got to me.
As the show ended, Tess expressed her gratitude, saying, “Thank you so much for watching us all these years. It really means a lot to us.”
The pair then signed off the episode with one final “keep dancing” before the credits rolled.
Okay, so things are definitely going to feel different this fall and winter. We don’t know who’s stepping in to fill their shoes yet, but as a longtime viewer, I know it won’t be the same – not for me, and probably not even for the new presenters themselves. It’s a big change!
At the TopMob Covers Party 2026, Tess Daly’s husband, Vernon Kay, mentioned they already have a vacation planned around the time the show airs. However, he emphasized that they both still really enjoy watching the series, even though Tess is no longer participating.
Phoebe and Amber are huge fans, and we’re really sad to see it go. Even though it’s ending, the memories will remain. We’ll continue to watch reruns and stay connected to it, and we’ll still be at the Star Bar after each episode, enjoying what has been the best show on UK television.
We don’t know yet who will take over from Tess and Claudia on the dance floor this year, but many people are guessing who it might be.
Wow, everyone’s been talking about who might be the next host! I’ve seen names like Alex Jones, Bradley Walsh, Rylan Clark, and even Zoe Ball thrown around – Zoe used to do the Strictly spin-off show, which is cool. It’s got everyone buzzing!
In a recent interview with The Sunday Times, Ball admitted he’d be interested in hosting, but emphasized he’ll still be a viewer no matter who gets the job.
It’s funny, everyone keeps bringing it up. Right now, I’m really upset about Tess and Claud – I’m very close to them. It seems like everyone’s being considered as a possible replacement.
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Strictly Come Dancing returns later this year.
Authors
Katelyn Mensah writes about entertainment for TopMob, covering everything from popular TV shows and reality competitions to important documentaries. Before joining TopMob, she worked at The Tab, where she focused on reality TV and celebrity news. She has a journalism degree.
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2026-01-28 18:36