Strictly fans shared their heartfelt sadness ahead of host Claudia Winkleman’s upcoming departure after her hilarious antics during the first ever Instant Dance challenge on Saturday night’s episode.
Last month Claudia, 53, and Tess Daly announced that they would be stepping down from the BBC One show at the end of this series in a shock move.
And as the current series nears its end many are starting to get emotional that Claudia won’t be back next year saying she leaves ‘impossible shoes to fill’ and declaring: ‘what are we going to do without you!’
Saturday night saw the remaining celebrities take on the new Instant Dance challenge where they had to frantically pick out a costume ahead of performing.
The celebs and their partners were band from speaking and were only given ten seconds to discuss their routine once on the dance floor ahead of the music starting, with the judges points added to each couple’s main core.
The chaotic segment led to some hilarious moments with Claudia as at one point she donned a funny hat to do her links before having a funny chat with pro Nikita Kuzmin ahead of his dance with partner Amber Davies.
Strictly fans shared their sadness ahead of host Claudia Winkleman’s upcoming departure after her hilarious antics during the first ever Instant Dance challenge on Saturday night
The chaotic segment led to some hilarious moments with Claudia as at one point she donned a funny hat to do her links before having a funny chat with pro Nikita Kuzmin ahead of his dance
Gushing over his Samba outfit Claudia told Nikita: ‘You have won all the awards, you shouldn’t even have to dance!’
She then had to hurry Amber along who was choosing her outfit as amid the chaos she shouted at her: ‘We don’t have time for that!’
Meanwhile Nikita turned to the camera and screamed: ‘I love Strictly and I love live TV!’ to which Claudia then quipped back at him: ‘I’m never speaking to you again!’
Fans reacted to her during the episode, penning on X: ‘Oh Claudia, What are we going to do without you. Impossible shoes to fill.’,
‘This show is going to be seriously depleted when @ClaudiaWinkle leaves.’,
‘thank GOD they did instant dance before Claudia left #StrictlyComeDancing.’,
‘Claudia cant go. I need this every year.’,
‘I am OBSESSED with Claudia just shoving the most absurd piece of clothing she can find into their hands and screaming TAKE IT!! #Strictly.’,
‘It’s weeks like this where you realise just how much #Strictly is going to miss Claudia.’,
‘Next year #StrictlyComeDancing will be poorer without Claudia. She’s got that natural timing you can’t be taught. #Strictly.’,
Fans reacted to her during the episode, penning on X: ‘Oh Claudia, What are we going to do without you. Impossible shoes to fill’
Viewers were left in hysterics during the show’s ‘chaotic’ first ever Instant Dance challenge where she donned a huge fruit hat
In one funny moment, gushing over his Samba outfit Claudia told Nikita: ‘You have won all the awards, you shouldn’t even have to dance!’
As everyone in the studio appeared confused, with the judges swapping seats and hosting Claudia sporting a fruit hat, fans begged for the mayhem to occur every week
‘They could never do this Instant Dance without Claudia. Next year just won’t be the same #Strictly #StrictlyComeDancing.’,
‘#strictly #StrictlyComeDancing What are we going to do without Claudia…’
Viewers were left in hysterics during the show’s ‘chaotic’ first ever Instant Dance challenge.
As everyone in the studio appeared confused, with the judges swapping seats and hosting Claudia sporting a fruit hat, fans begged for the mayhem to occur every week.
Taking to X they said: ‘This is pure chaos and I love it!’: ‘The chaos’: ‘The Instant Dance is chaos and it’s not even started yet’: ‘This is chaos… do it every week’: ‘the instant dance challenge is carnage but So much fun!! I’m loving this,’.
Following the challenge the judges scored Lewis Cope with the full six points, followed by Balvinder Sopal with five, Amber Davies with four points, Alex Kingston scored three, George Clarke two and Karen Carney last with just one point.
Earlier in the episode fans were left ‘gutted’ for Alex Kingston following the actress’ less than impressive performance, before appearing to spot her suffering a painful injury.
The Doctor Who star, 62, was clearly disappointed after making numerous mistakes during her disco themed cha cha with partner Johannes Radebe, 38.
Despite her previously outstanding performances Alex took the slip-up on the chin and blamed it on ‘fatigue’, after scoring just 24 points out of 40, landing at the bottom of the leaderboard.
Judge Oti Mabuse said: ‘One mistake I can forgive, two mistakes I will look the other way, three mistakes? I am not mother Christmas!’.
Later speaking to host Claudia, an emotional Alex said: ‘It’s never really discussed when your at the sharp end, how our bodies are suffering and my 62-year-old self is saying, what are you saying, but my spirit and soul is saying [puts finger in her ears] la la la, I don’t want to know, I want to keep dancing’.
Taking to X fans said: ‘Gutted for Alex. Just got really staggered and a bit all over the place. But she showed such humility during the judges’ comments’: ‘I’m gutted for Alex’: ‘Poor girl so many mistakes at least she kept going’: ‘I want to give Alex a hug’.
Later viewers at home appeared to spot Alex painfully limping and were left worried she would be forced to withdraw from the competition.
‘Why is Alex limping? If she’s hurt herself surely it’s not a good idea to continue dancing?’: ‘Sorry it’s clear as day something is wrong with Alex. she’s literally limping just walking? someone get the girl a medic?! feel like even if she does make it through, this might be the end of the road’.
‘I really hope Alex is alright. She seems to be limping quite badly’: ‘Poor Alex looked like she was limping after choosing her outfit! Hope she’s ok’: ‘Poor Alex is limping’: ‘Was Alex limping then?’.
Following Alex’s performance influencer George Clark took to the floor for a quickstep alongside pro partner Alexis Warr, after receiving his first ever 10 last week.
Judges Oti, Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood and Anton Du Beke were full of praise for the. ‘classy’ routine, despite him also making a few mistakes.
Oti in particular gushed over George, and said he was a ‘step up from everyone’ ahead of next week’s semi-final, as the panel scored the routine 34 out of 40.
Then it was the turn of Emmerdale actor Lewis and Katya Jones who performed a sizzling rumba, which saw them nab an impressive 36 out of 40.
Following four weeks in the dance-off EastEnders star Balvinder risked once again being in the bottom two after she again made numerous slip-ups.
In a first ever of its kind, the couples learned live on air which of their previous dances they would perform and a frantic dash to pick out a costume, in what fans branded ‘carnage’
The soap actress danced a jive with Julian Caillon, which Anton branded ‘super apart from the mistakes’ before the judges scored the dance 28 out of 40.
Footballer Karen then performed her couple’s choice with Carol Gu, as she paid tribute to her beloved mum who has supported her throughout her career.
Pro Carlos was left in tears after their colourful routine landed them their first ever 40, and sobbed: ‘[Karen] loves dancing more than me!’.
Last but certainly not least was Love Island’s Amber and Nikita who also landed full marks for their jive.
While Shirley said the couple had left her ‘speechless’, Craig pretended to be unimpressed and said ‘now for the truth, darling’ before quipping:’fab-u-lous!’.
STRICTLY LINEUP 2025
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey
Age: 36
Profession: Olympic Sprinter and Gladiator
Harry says: ‘I’ll be bringing tons of energy to light up the dance floor. Let’s hope I’m as quick picking up the routines as I am on the track.’
Alex Kingston
Age: 62
Profession: Doctor Who actress
The actress teases: ‘My hips don’t lie.’
Balvinder Sopal
Age: 46
Profession: EastEnders actress
Balvinder says: ‘I’m far too excited to put into words how I feel but I’m incredibly excited at the prospect of dancing across the ballroom.’
La Voix
Age: 45
Profession: Drag performer
She says: ‘Strictly is a national institution and I can’t wait to get started. All that’s left to say is: good luck to my partner! Here’s hoping they can help me go from La Voix into La Danse.’
Thomas Skinner
Age: 34
Profession: Reality star and entrepreneur
He says: ‘Bring on the sequins, sambas and most importantly, the BOSH to the ballroom!’
Vicky Pattison
Age: 37
Profession: Reality TV star
She says: ‘I’m absolutely buzzing to be part of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing line-up… but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t terrified.’
Karen Carney
Age: 38
Profession: Football pundit
She says: ‘I’m such a huge fan of the show and I can’t believe I’m finally getting the chance to take part.’
George Clark
Age: 25
Profession: YouTuber
He says: ‘Never thought I’d say this… but I’m doing Strictly! Honestly, I’ve got no idea what I’m doing but I’m excited to get stuck in … and potentially fall over a fair bit.’
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
Age: 53
Profession: Former Chelsea and Netherlands striker and ex-England coach.
He says: ‘Swapping the pitch for the ballroom is certainly not something I’ve done before but I’m looking forward to tackling a fun challenge! Bring on a new type of footwork, with hopefully no own goals.’
Ellie Goldstein
Age: 23
Profession: Model, influencer and disability ambassador
She says: ‘It’s a show I’ve loved watching for so long, and the chance to now be part of it feels like a dream’.
Chris Robshaw
Age: 39
Profession: Rugby player
He says: ‘This is about as far out of my comfort zone as it gets! I’m hoping to take my dad-dancing to a whole new level, and my mum can’t wait to drag me along to her Zumba class’.
Stefan Dennis
Age: 66
Profession: Actor
He says: ‘Looking forward to the sparkle and reaching for the sky.’
Ross King
Age: 63
Profession: Showbiz correspondent
He says: ‘I can’t wait to learn from the best, meet my fellow contestants, and, most importantly… try not to step on too many toes!’
Lewis Cope
Age: 30
Profession: Actor
He says: ‘I’m so excited to be swapping the Dales for the dance floor and joining this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.’
Amber Davies
Age: 28
Profession: West End star
She says: ‘This has been the craziest 24 hours of my life. I’ve watched Strictly with my family since I was younger and to now be part of the show is a dream come true.’
