Strictly Come Dancing: Vicky Pattison stunned by special message as Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly thank fans after exit
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman are hosting Icons Week as the remaining couples paying tribute to their favourite stars
Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted tonight’s episode of Strictly Come Dancing, after announcing that they will be leaving the show at the end of this series.
The pair broke the news on Thursday as they shared a video statement on Instagram and addressed their decision at the start of Saturday night’s show.
Winkleman said: “We want to thank you for your beautiful messages. We've got another eight weeks but it's not about us. It's about this incredible show and a Strictly champion to crown.”
“We cannot wait to spend the rest of the series with you, our incredible couples and these four,” Daly added, as she introduced the judges.
Week five’s live show saw the 11 remaining couples take part in Icons Week, paying tribute to their favourite stars from the music world.
Vicky Pattison transformed into a fellow Geordie for her Couple’s Choice routine set to Cheryl’s “Fight For This Love” - and the Girls Aloud star sent in a special video message to mark the occasion.
Pattison wasn’t the only celebrity to receive support from her chosen icon either, as Ellie Goldstein was congratulated on her efforts by Spice Girl Emma Bunton.
Elsewhere in the episode, Balvinder Sopal bounced back from being in the dance-off again with a Beyonce-themed quickstep and La Voix closed the show with a tribute to Cher.
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BBC bosses respond to Tess and Claudia's departure
Kate Phillips, chief content officer for the BBC, described the announcement as the “end of an era”, with the co-hosts being “integral” to the show’s success.
She said: “They’ve both been such incredible hosts at the very heart of the show, their passion and dedication has gone above and beyond. They’ve been integral to Strictly’s success over the last 20 years, but I understand why they’ve decided it’s time to hang up the glitter ball and get their weekends back.”
Suzy Lamb, managing director of entertainment at BBC Studios, added: “Tess brought elegance, poise, and a genuine love for the show that never waned from the very start. And with Claudia’s charm and razor-sharp wit joining us from It Takes Two in 2014, it cemented a partnership that has kept our audience captivated ever since.
“Tess and Claudia are much more than presenters to us, they are part of the Strictly production family – and whilst we’ll miss them dearly, we wish them nothing but the best.”
The show’s executive producer, Sarah James, labelled the pair as the “matriarchs” of the Strictly family, adding they are the “best duo of presenters” in the business.
She said: “They have championed countless celebrities on the dancefloor, led us all through two series during the pandemic, but more importantly they have a deep and genuine bond with the show and every single member of the team.
“We have been together and supported each other for a long time – through pregnancies, births and deaths – and to say we will all miss them terribly is an understatement.”
Watch: Oti Mabuse cries as says Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman exit is 'end of an era'
Traitors star reacts to Winkleman's exit
FormerTraitors star Diane Carson has spoken out over the news Claudia Winkleman - who also hosts The Traitors on BBC.
“No way. Claudia’s so good at whatever she does and she’s so now invested in The Traitors,” she told BBC Radio Cumbria.
"Wow, God I hope she never leaves Traitors.
“People always say to me, 'is she as she seems?' Well yes she is. She is passionate about the game, she is invested in all the players and she is very funny.
“And of course her costumes have got more and more bizarre - which is fantastic.”
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Strictly Come Dancing host Claudia Winkleman appeared to hint that she knows the identity of her and Tess Daly’s replacement, as she promised that the show’s new presenters will take the programme “to new heights”.
Daly, 56, has hosted the show for 21 years while Winkleman, 53, joined as co-presenter on the main programme in 2014, having previously hosted the Sunday night results show. They announced today (23 October) that they are stepping down after the end of the current series.
“I’ve always believed it’s best to leave a party before you’re fully ready to go and I know the new hosts will be magnificent,” Winkleman wrote in a statement announcing her departure.
She added: “I look forward to watching them take Strictly to new heights.”
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It Takes Two addresses Daly and Winkleman exit
It Takes Two host Janette Manrara addressed Daly and Winkleman’s upcoming departure on Thursday night's show.
The host said: “Ladies, we are going to miss you both so much. But luckily we still have them for what promises to be a brilliant 2025 series and the Christmas show!"
Strictly judge Anton Du Beke calls Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman’s exit ‘the saddest news’
Anton Du Beke has dubbed Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman’s exit from the programme “the saddest news”.
“Tess, I remember back in 2004 in a London hotel introducing this wonderful new show Strictly Come Dancing to the world. You’ve been a torch bearer from the beginning.”
He continued: “But more importantly for those 20 years, you’ve been a wonderful friend and colleague. I’m going to miss you dearly on a Saturday night.
“Hand in hand with the fabulous Claudia, taking over from my hero Brucie, together you have elevated the show to unprecedented levels as the most magnificent presenting duo!”
Du Beke said he’d miss Daly and Winkleman “terribly” but said he was sure they’d both be a “huge success” in whatever they chose to do after the BBC dance competition.
Lydia Spencer-Elliot reports:
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