Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have made their return to live TV as they opened Strictly on Saturday night for the first time since announcing they are leaving the show.
The iconic duo made history as the BBC’s first female presenting duo, but this week they sent shockwaves through the nation after they shared the news that the current series will be their last.
Speaking to viewers, Tess said at the top of the show: ‘Just before we get started tonight, Claud and I announced this week that this will be our last series of Strictly Come Dancing.’
As the audience erupted, Claudia continued: ‘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 concluded: ‘And we cannot wait to spend the rest of the series with you, with our amazing couples and these four [the judges].’
The iconic duo made history as the BBC ‘s first female presenting duo, but this week they sent shockwaves through the nation after they shared that the current series will be their last
Taking to Instagram to confirm the news on Thursday on their respective social media platforms, Tess and Claudia shared a video as they sat side by side explaining their decision
After the roaring success of The Traitors, Claudia is going on to host a chat show with the same producers as Graham Norton, while it was always agreed she and Tess would leave the BBC show at the same time.
Some of the top names in telly have had their hat thrown into the ring to be the pair’s replacement including Hannah Waddingham, Rylan Clark and Zoe Ball.
Numerous Strictly professionals, past and present, have shared their opinions on Tess and Claudia’s decision to leave.
Head judge Shirley Ballas also admitted the news of their abrupt exit has left her with a ‘broken heart.’
Taking to Instagram to confirm the news on Thursday on their respective social media platforms, Tess and Claudia shared a video as they sat side by side explaining their decision.
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.’
In her own statement, Tess added: ‘After 21 unforgettable years, the time has come to say goodbye to Strictly Come Dancing.
Some of the top names in telly have had their hat thrown into the ring to be the pair’s replacement including Hannah Waddingham (pictured), Rylan Clark and Zoe Ball
Head judge Shirley Ballas also admitted the news of their abrupt exit has left her with a ‘broken heart’
The presenting pair penned an emotional message to their fans under the clip
Tess previously presented the BBC One show alongside Bruce Forsyth before Claudia joined her as a permanent co-host in 2014
‘It’s hard to put it into words what this show has meant to me, so here goes…
‘Strictly has been more than just a television programme, it’s felt like having a third child, a second family, and a huge part of my life since that first show back in 2004.
‘I knew then it was something special, but I could never have imagined the magic it would bring.
‘Strictly has always been about joy, celebration, and bringing people together, and I’m so proud to have played a small part in something that continues to mean so much to so many.
‘I have always been in awe of our superbly talented professional dancers, our magnificent judges, and all the celebrities who have taken part.
‘I absolutely adore our brilliant crew, every single member of the Strictly team who have worked so tirelessly to make this show what it is.
‘Thank you for the laughter, the friendship, the countless memories over all these years. You’ve filled my heart in ways I’ll never forget. I’ll miss you all so much.
‘And to you, the viewers at home, the biggest thank you of all, thank you for welcoming us into your homes for over two decades.
‘To my beloved Claud, what an absolute joy and pleasure it has been sharing this adventure with you. You’re one of a kind, and I’ll treasure every giggle, every live show, and every backstage moment we’ve shared.
‘This isn’t a goodbye to glitter, sequins or Saturday night sparkle (I could never say goodbye to those!). Strictly will forever hold a special place in my heart, but it does feel like the right time to hand over the reins.’
Claudia went on to post a series of behind-the-scenes snaps of her and Tess working together on the show as she too paid tribute to her time on the series.
She penned: ‘It’s very difficult to put into words exactly what Strictly has meant to me. It’s been the greatest relationship of my career.
‘From working on It Takes Two in 2004 until now it has been my everything, the show I will be eternally grateful for.
The duo explained to fans of the BBC One series they ‘were always going to leave together and now feels like the right time’ to ‘pass the baton’
‘I will never forget Len Goodman trying to teach me what a cucaracha is (I still don’t know) and the complete thrill and honour it was to work with Tess on the results show to cohosting on Saturday nights.
‘Strictly is a magical, glittery, fake tanned train and it’s been a privilege to be a tiny part of it.
‘The extraordinary talent of the dancers, the band, the hair and makeup and costume teams, the unbelievable production crew and creatives – all utterly amazing.
‘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, I look forward to watching them take Strictly to new heights.
‘As for Tess – I’m so so lucky I got to stand next to you. You’re funny, kind, whip smart and a true friend and I love you.’
In recent years, Tess has made several hints about passing on the baton in regards to being main host, while Claudia revealed she encountered awkward conversations with Strictly bosses about the show’s clashes with family life, namely taking her son to university to kickstart his first year away from home.
