Strictly Come Dancing has been a mainstay in BBC One’s end-of-year programming, and whilst the show isn’t going anywhere, it is about to undergo a major change. Presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announced on social media that they are stepping away from the show, with their last episode set to be the 2025 Christmas special.
For over a decade, Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have been the beating heart of Strictly Come Dancing, with the former presenting the show from its very first episode. They truly feel like the patrons of Saturday night entertainment, and it is difficult to imagine what the show will be like without them. Yet, with everything, the show will have to learn to grow and bring something new for audiences to enjoy.
Will ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ Survive Without Claudia and Tess?
The simple answer regarding the show’s survival is yes, Strictly will be fine without its two main presenters. It is a ratings hit each year, and the decline in viewers is more a symptom of the way society consumes media as opposed to an issue with Strictly itself. In fact, the show has been plagued with controversies over the years, and calls for cancellation or time off air aren’t uncommon. Rather than listening to these pleas, the show brought in chaperones and new welfare producers for the contestants and pressed on.
The result was obvious, as last year easily became one of the show’s best. Obviously, at the centre was the incredible journey of Chris McCausland, who became the first visually impaired contestant to win the show. His training footage with partner Dianne Buswell, which included him feeling her body and foot movements as well as sound cues and detailed verbal descriptions, were some of the most inspirational clips in the show’s history. This doesn’t even begin to touch on the pure sense of achievement and jubilation every Saturday night as Chris produced something extraordinary, and the nation slowly fell in love with his and Dianne’s partnership. They even won a Bafta.
However, it was not just Chris who made series 22 particularly ground-breaking, as the standard of dancing reached uncharted territory. The final, which included Tasha Ghouri, Sarah Hadland, and JB Gill alongside Chris, saw every couple earning at least one perfect score. Throughout the series, there was a blend of showstopping dancing with deeply personal stories. So, whilst Tess and Claudia may feel like the beating heart of Strictly, the show is much more about the contestants and their individual journeys.
Why are Tess and Claudia So Important to ‘Strictly Come Dancing’?
If Strictly Come Dancing is about more than Tess and Claudia, then why are people so impacted by their imminent departure? It is not as simple as the show carrying on with two new faces. The balcony where contestants go to debrief with Claudia after their dance has literally been dubbed the ‘clauditorium’ by fans, due to her warmth and ability to make the celebrities feel relaxed. It goes beyond the autocue, and both presenters have a genuine love for the bizarre nature of the show that shines through. Finding someone who shares that joy and can portray it so authentically is no easy feat. The show survived Bruce Forsyth’s exit due to Claudia’s natural adaptation and charming wit. It is unclear how easy this will be to replicate.
Perhaps the most obvious comparison is The Great British Bake Off, which saw a huge personnel reshuffle when it moved from the BBC to Channel 4. The show lost presenters Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins as well as baking royalty, Mary Berry. Whilst there were questions over the show’s ability to retain its popularity, it has settled into its new home and remains one of the most popular competition shows in the UK. While there were teething issues settling on the right presenters, the current duo of Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond brings the right amount of fun and chaos into the famous tent. Bake Off is a perfect example of a show surviving a big change, and proves that Strictly can to.
Who Should Replace Tess and Claudia on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’?
This is a huge opportunity for Strictly Come Dancing to have a major shake-up and bring some fresh energy to the dancefloor. One of the most important aspects of Tess and Claudia’s partnership is the historical significance, as they were the first prime-time all-female presenting duo. This is an aspect the BBC should be keen to keep, as there is great symbolism behind the all-female team. Additionally, Strictly is a huge challenge; it is live TV, and things can go wrong. It would be unlikely and unfair to throw someone into Strictly as their first presenting job, so the show needs to find the balance of experience with uniqueness and personality.
The most obvious name is Zoe Ball, who hosted It Takes Two and has co-hosted the main show when Winkleman was on leave. Another name that has been mentioned is Hannah Waddingham, who has proven her flair for live presenting with Eurovision. Similarly, her Eurovision co-host Alesha Dixon is a past winner and judge of Strictly, but it seems unlikely she would leave Britain’s Got Talent. If the BBC moved away from the all-female duo, Rylan Clark and Roman Kemp are both potential names.
The show could also go down the route of bringing in a former professional dancer, with Janette Manrara currently presenting It Takes Two with Fleur East. Oti Mabuse is another name who has been in the conversation. There is no golden formula to pick a replacement, and the show will feel a little strange without the duo. However, fans need to give it time and remember that Strictly will keep dancing.