Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman Exit ‘Strictly’ Amid Speculation

Tess Daly, the 56-year-old host of the popular BBC show Strictly Come Dancing, has announced her departure from the series alongside co-host Claudia Winkleman, aged 53. This decision has sparked intense speculation and discussion regarding the future of both presenters and the show’s dynamics. Reports suggest that Daly felt her role was contingent on Winkleman’s presence, leading to concerns about her career trajectory following their exit.

The Mail on Sunday reported on the situation with a headline revealing “harsh whispers behind the stars’ shock double exit.” The article claims that Daly understood that the BBC was not interested in retaining her without Winkleman. It further detailed that she was aware that if Winkleman left, her own departure would likely follow.

Rumors have circulated recently about Winkleman’s potential new venture, with speculation that she may host her own chat show produced by So Television, the same company behind The Graham Norton Show. This development has contributed to the narrative surrounding the duo’s exit from Strictly Come Dancing, with many media outlets closely scrutinizing the implications for both hosts.

Alongside the media frenzy, social media has become a platform for harsh criticism directed at Daly. Some users have described her as “wooden” and “fake,” further adding to the conversation around her performance on the show. A clip from the program Never Mind the Buzzcocks featuring comedian Simon Amstell resurfaced, in which he jokingly questioned former judge and winner Alesha Dixon about Daly’s demeanor. Amstell asked, “When you’re on Strictly Come Dancing and you go backstage and there’s Tess Daly there and she asks you how you feel about the scores, does it matter to you that she’s dead behind the eyes, or not really?” This comment drew laughter from the audience, though Dixon attempted to quell the laughter, indicating a sense of discomfort with the observation.

Daly’s tenure on Strictly Come Dancing has been marked by significant achievements, including a reported salary of approximately £150,000 per series and her recognition as a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). Despite this success, the current backlash may pose challenges for her future endeavors.

As the entertainment world watches closely, both Daly and Winkleman’s next steps remain uncertain. Their departure from such a high-profile program could lead to new opportunities, but it also highlights the pressures faced by public figures in the entertainment industry. The evolving landscape of television may offer them new horizons, but their exit from Strictly Come Dancing undeniably marks the end of an era for the beloved series.