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Tess and Claudia are leaving at the end of the series(Image: PA)
Strictly Come Dancing bosses are under growing pressure to find replacements for Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman just weeks away from the end of the series. The iconic duo announced just weeks ago that they wouldn’t be back for another series.
BBC bosses are yet to announce who is set to replace the presenters from 2026. There is plenty of time to find the replacements but pressure is increasing from fans of the show.
Several well-known names have been suggested to take over from Tess and Claudia but nothing has been set in stone yet. Things are set to dramatically change as Tess has been a Strictly staple since it began in 2004.
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Tess has been presenting the show since the start(Image: PA)
Speaking to the Express, TV Producer and Head of Casting at Curve Media, Naomi Channell, explained that there is some big shoes to fill. She said: “Because it’s stepping into the shoes of Tess and Claudia, and these are some big shoes to fill, there’s only one chance of getting it right.
“They need to get someone who matches the same energy and appeals to that audience who commit a number of months of their Saturday nights every year. Bosses need to look at the people who are their target audience, people who would replicate that.”
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However, she warned that there is one element that bosses need to be careful of. She added: “They would need them to feel different though, you can’t just have a carbon copy, but there would need to be those similarities.
“We’ve seen this before with Big Brother, the show was built around Davina, it’s her voice in the sayings, she’s a part of the brand, so when they brought someone new in they had to find someone who matched her energy, like Emma Willis.”
Naomi suggested that those in charge could use social media to ensure they pick the right candidates. Claudia and Tess are set to see out the rest of the series and will leave after this year’s Christmas special.
The pair took to Instagram a few weeks ago to tell viewers that they would be leaving the show. Some fans wondered why they made the announcement mid-series but some believe this was so it didn’t take away from this year’s winner.
In the video, Claudia began with: “Hi it’s Claud and Tess. There have been some rumblings and we want you to hear this from us…”
Tess then added: “Yeah we have news. After 21 wonderfully joyful years on Strictly we have decided the time is right to step aside and pass on the baton…”
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“The very sparkly baton…” Claudia continued before she turned to Tess and said: “You’ve been here since the beginning…” Tess then replied: “2004 with Brucey – lovely Bruce. That’s over two decades ago and a lot of that time has been with you. It’s been a huge part of our lives, hasn’t it? Since our children were literally babes in arms and now they’re young adults and I think, genuinely we have cherished every second.”
Claudia added: “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 so thank you…” Tess agreed: “They are the very best team in television we’ve been so lucky. And the audience as well, they’ve been so wonderful. They’ve been with us for this entire journey of 21 years and we wouldn’t have a show without them and they’ve been just so loyal and supportive.”
The pair then signed off and released their own separate written statements on their social media pages. No one has yet been confirmed as to who will be taking over presenting duties.
