Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly announced that they would be leaving Strictly Come Dancing after 11 years presenting the show together.
Tess has been presenting the show since 2004, with Claudia joining in 2010 on the Sunday night results show before she began hosting both nights in 2014.
immediately, the hunt is on for their replacements.
Maura Higgins’ name has been bandied around and immediately another Irish star is in the running!
TV presenter Angela Scanlon, who competed on the show in 2023, is one of the favourites to take on the role.
She shared a gushing tribute to Claudia and Tess after their announcement as she reminisced about her time on the show.
“Where to start! The biggest show on television for the past 2 decades. Fronted by 2 glorious, formidable, brilliant women @tessdaly @claudiawinkle,” she began.
“I remember when I first moved to London I got a job doing the online backstage stuff for The Voice. It was shot in Elstree at the time and @bbcstrictly pictures of Tess & Claudia lined the halls. It was BIG. A statement of what was to come in the industry, the potential. The hope. The opportunities. Watching two women effortlessly hold a show of that scale and normalise what should be completely normal lit a fire in me.
“What you see- the wit and charm, the seamless holding of a live show which looks easy (when it’s done well), the outfits, the hair, the pure joy. I saw both Tess and Claudia reference the “family” that held them throughout- women who welcomed babies, celebrated family milestones, waved kids off to college together. That’s felt in the very fabric of the show. That is part of its magic.”
She continued: “When I did it a couple of years back my baby was 18 months old (madness I know, we live we learn, we wee during the Charleston!). On Saturdays somewhat raw and racked with nerves, feet sore, tender at waving goodbye to my babes after a week of rehearsals, riddled with guilt and questions I would meet Tess on the floor. She would ask about the girls, relay lovely things she had heard during the week, reassure me, tell me the girls would be proud.
“While standing in front of the judges she would hold my hand. With someone in her ear and a show to drive she was kind enough to know when people needed something more. Claudia wildly reassuring, giving permission and energy, reminding you it’s not life or death even when it feels that way. Squeezing you, reminding you that you’re not in fact a dancer and that even if your samba is shite you’ll be alright!”
She concluded by saying: “People talk about Strictly like a unicorn because it is in many ways but it is that way because of the intense, deep running passion that is shared by every single member of that crew. It’s palpable when you walk into the studio on a way I’ve never experienced before. It is special.
“What a legacy. What a gift. And what a joy to witness it up close star.”
Her comments were filled with people urging her to go for the gig.
“You taking over from Claudia would be amazing,” one wrote.
“You should be presenting next,” another fan commented.
“What beautiful words. You would be FANTASTIC presenting this x,” a third pointed out.
Another read: “I love how it’s clear how much your Strictly experience still means to you even two years later. I think you’d make a fantastic new host.”
While someone else said: “You would make a fantastic new host of the show. You were great on it and have the right energy.”
What do you think?
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