Tess and Claudia quit Strictly: Fans stunned as hosts announce shock exit – live updates

Strictly Come Dancing professional Dianne Buswell said ‘these ladies will be missed,’ as she reposted Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly’s Instagram video announcement.

Former contestant and DJ Clara Amfo said:

This is quite surreal. Salute to you both, shouldn’t be radical for two women to present prime time TV together, you two do it with such genuine joy towards each other. Big respect!

Former It Takes Two presenter Rylan Clark said:

Adore you both the world. The biggest pleasure working with you both. Pair of icons xxx.

Former Strictly professional Oti Mabuse said:

Wow! How devastating. You two have been incredible to work with – thank you so much for all the beautiful memories, for representing females presenters, being iconic, the laughs and years of family you’ve given all us. From the beginning you were the highlight of our weekends! Wish you both luck – I will miss you so much!!!

Heartbroken viewers have been sharing their reactions to the shock news on X.

Earlier this year it was alleged that BBC bosses had been scrambling to keep Claudia after fears arose that she would quit the series.

Sources told Closer magazine that bosses had been left ‘anxious’ about the programme’s future, adding: ‘Bosses are anxious that the lack of big-name celebrities could dampen ratings and, behind the scenes, they’ve been leaning on Claudia to help steady the ship.

‘She’s the face the public trusts. She’s hugely popular, and they know she’s the safest pair of hands they’ve got. But the truth is, she’s under enormous pressure and fears are growing that it could all lead to her quitting the show.’

The source added that while Claudia ‘adores’ working on Strictly, she feels ‘stretched’ and ‘wonders if something has to give’ in her career.

The hosts, who have been presenting the BBC One dancing competition together since 2014, took to Instagram to break the news to fans on Thursday.

Claudia, 53, and Tess, 56, who first joined the series back in 2004, were seen sitting side by side in the clip that confirmed their departure.

Speaking to the camera, Claudia began: ‘There have been some rumblings and we want you to hear this from us.’

Tess chimed in: ‘We have news, after 21 wonderfully joyful years on Strictly, we have decided that the time is right to step aside and pass over the baton.’

‘The very sparkly baton!’ Claudia laughed, before turning to her co-star and pal to add: ‘You’ve been here since the beginning.’

Tess replied, pointing to Claudia: ‘With Bruce, lovely Bruce [Forsyth], and that was over two decades ago but a lot of the time has been with you.

‘It’s been a huge part of our lives since our children were literally babes in arms, and now they’re adults, and I think genuinely we have cherished every second.’

Claudia continued: ‘We have, we’re so lucky to have been part of this amazing show and we just want to thank the Strictly team, because Strictly is the people who make it.’

The duo penned under the video:

We have loved working as a duo and hosting Strictly has been an absolute dream.

We were always going to leave together and now feels like the right time. We will have the greatest rest of this amazing series and we just want to say an enormous thank you to the BBC and to every single person who works on the show.

They’re the most brilliant team and we’ll miss them every day. We will cry when we say the last “keep dancing” but we will continue to say it to each other. Just possibly in tracksuit bottoms at home while holding some pizza.

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage as Strictly Come Dancing hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announce they will quit the series later this year.

Stick with us as we bring you the latest updates and reaction on this breaking news story.