Strictly hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have made a pact that this could be their last year as co-anchors of the hit BBC show, Closer can reveal.
Tess, 55, has been at the helm of Strictly since it first aired in 2004, with the show turning her into a household name. Claudia, 52, has also been part of the furniture for years, having hosted the spin-off show, Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two, before joining Tess on the main show in 2014 as a co-presenter following the late Bruce Forsyth’s retirement.
However, while the pair have been loyal to the BBC show so far, they’re both feeling the heat from the recent scandals and sources say they’re considering making a move before the next series in 2025.
‘Tess is feeling a showbiz itch to spread her wings. What started all those years ago has seen her witness so many changes – from fronting the first female presenting duo, to judges falling out, and now all the rows and backlash from behind-the-scenes. Tess is naturally asking herself if now is the time, on the 20th anniversary, to take her final bow,’ our source reveals.
‘She doesn’t want to be on a sinking ship and would prefer to go out with a bang. She’s hit a crossroads – stay until she’s at retirement age or grow some disco balls and see what’s out there. Tess knows there is life after Strictly.’
The show has had its fair share of controversies over the years – namely the dreaded ‘Strictly curse’, which has seen a myriad of celebrity contestants splitting from their partners after competing on the show. But nothing could have prepared show bosses for what’s unravelled over the last few months.
Back in July, Sherlock star Amanda Abbington, 50, made an official complaint to the BBC about her dance partner, Giovanni Pernice, 34, alleging that he behaved unprofessionally and was emotionally abusive during rehearsals. The BBC are investigating the allegations and Giovanni has since denied the claims. Just weeks after, it then came to light that professional dancer Graziano di Prima would not be returning to the show following allegations that he had ‘kicked’ and ‘spat on’ partner Zara McDermott, 27, who admitted that some of her time on Strictly had been ‘distressing’. Graziano, 30, packed up and moved back to Italy with his wife amid the scandal, although he denies the claims.
This controversy has added to the mounting pressure on the BBC to make the next series a safe and entertaining one, but a lot of this could fall to Tess and Claudia.
‘Claudia loves her job but hates all the negativity that’s been flying about – it’s made her sad that the institution that is Strictly has been under attack. It’s taken a beating and she can’t help but take it personally,’ our source adds.
‘Claudia is on a mission to ensure she can keep this year in line and is making herself available to ensure no cracks, no fallouts and no tears. The aim is to keep the dancers happy, and producers have bent over backwards to facilitate that everyone’s looked after – in fact, it’s been bubble-wrapped. Claudia feels a deep-rooted responsibility being part of the anchor that steers the show.’
It’s no secret that Tess, who is married to Radio 2 DJ Vernon Kay, and Claudia’s roles on Strictly are demanding jobs, but according to insiders more is being expected of them this year. The source says, ‘Claudia’s husband, Kris, 52, feels like a single parent from the moment she waves him off at the Strictly gates – there is only room for one thing in her life at this time of year, and that’s Strictly. But this year it’s taking its toll with more filming going on behind the scenes.’
Tess previously revealed, ‘It’s 15-hour days, often you are barely sitting down at all.'
Our sources adds, ‘Claudia and Tess are in it together. But both of them have said this could be their last year, and if one goes the other will follow. They’ve made a pact on that.'
