Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have thanked Strictly Come Dancing fans on the live show for their support, following the news of their exit.
This week, it was announced that the hosting duo had decided to leave together, having fronted the show for 21 years. The women stated they felt it was “the right time” to walk away.
And on Saturday night (October 25) Strictly returned to screens for its Icons Week, with Tess and Claudia back to host. And it didn’t take them long to address their upcoming exit…
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman address exit
On Saturday (October 25) Tess and Claudia spoke about their exit for the first time on Strictly’s live show.
Opening the programme, Tess and Claud were met with a roar of applause from the live studio audience. Tess then told viewers: “Before we get started, Claud and I announced this week that this will be our last series.”
The live studio audience then expressed their sadness and collectively shouted “awww”.
Claudia then added: “We want to thank you for your beautiful messages. We’ve got another eight weeks on this incredible show and a Strictly champion to crown.”
Tess chimed in: “And we cannot wait to spend the rest of the series with you, with our amazing couples, and of course, with these four,” as she introduced the show’s judges.
Fans react to Tess and Claudia
Fans meanwhile, were left emotional over Tess and Claudia’s message at the start of the show. On X, one person said: “Need to savour the remaining weeks now with Tess and Claudia leaving [crying face emoji].”
Another shared a meme of a crying person, while a third person said: “They dealt with that swiftly and brilliantly.”
Echoing their thoughts, someone else wrote: “The reception for Tess and Claudia tonight is so well deserved just like it has been every single week for all the years they’ve done it together and both of them talking about their departure.”
Tess and Claudia’s exit
Tess and co-star Claudia Winkleman shocked the nation this week by revealing the 2025 series will be their last.
TV host Tess has been part of the flagship programme since it began in 2004. Claudia joined her as co-host in 2014 in the wake of Bruce Forsyth’s retirement.
In her own lengthy statement, Tess paid tribute to Strictly’s professional dancers, “magnificent judges” and the countless celebrity competitors.
“You’ve filled my heart in ways I’ll never forget. I’ll miss you all so much,” she said.
Read more: Concerns over new Strictly scandal that’s ‘forced Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman to quit’
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