Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly announced their departure from Strictly Come Dancing earlier this week – and their partnership will be difficult to replicate, one expert claims
Strictly Come Dancing hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly are “incredibly valuable” presenters that the BBC will struggle to replace.
Tess and Claudia announced their departure from the show on Thursday (23 October) in a joint video, where they said: “After 21 wonderfully joyful years on Strictly, we have decided that the time is right to step aside.”
They added that they have a pact to leave together. In a separate statement, Tess referred to Strictly as her “third child” and “second family” and promised she wasn’t going to stop watching Strictly but felt it was time to “hand over the reins”.
Talent agent and PR expert told the Mirror that their exit marks the end of an era for Saturday night television.
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“Between them, they’ve fronted some of the BBC’s most successful formats and they’ve done it with warmth, chemistry and credibility – three things that are very hard to replicate,” he says.
“It’s easy to forget just how groundbreaking their partnership was. Two women hosting one of Britain’s biggest primetime entertainment shows and doing it their way was genuinely refreshing. They faced down years of sexist commentary about their appearances, outfits and ages, yet they never let it define them.
“They didn’t get sucked into being pitted against each other. They redefined what female-led television in the UK could look like and we haven’t seen anything like it again since.”
Dermot claims that Claudia has already proven she’s far more than a presenter, saying: “Her fringe alone is a brand in its own right.
“The Traitors turned her into a global star and fashion icon, so she’s now in that rare position where she can choose between high-end television projects, fashion partnerships and even production or writing. She has the kind of cultural capital that travels well internationally.”
Tess, on the other hand, has always been “elegant, polished, dependable,” says Dermot.
“Her next chapter could easily lean into lifestyle, wellness or fashion. She’s already the face of a vitamin supplement brand. She’s long been associated with aspirational mid-life glamour and that’s a market every brand wants to tap into.
“I could see her following her husband Vernon into radio, or another TV role within the BBC. I’m sure ITV will be straight on the phone to her team, looking to explore options.”
The PR expert points out that both women possess something that many presenters do not – trust.
“Despite Strictly’s many stresses and scandals, they’ve steered the ship well and while people around them may be facing a storm, they remain calm,” Dermot says.
“That makes them incredibly valuable to advertisers and streaming platforms alike. Whether it’s podcasts, documentaries or co-producing formats, they can now build businesses that go far beyond the dancefloor.
“It’s no coincidence they’re stepping back at the same time. They’re in control of the narrative. Rather than waiting to be replaced, they’re leaving on a high and in this industry – that’s the ultimate power move.”
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