Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, the former hosts of the popular show “Strictly Come Dancing,” left the BBC program amid speculations of distancing themselves from scandals that had impacted the show’s reputation. While initially keeping quiet about their departure, Claudia has now revealed the true reason for leaving, mentioning it was something they had contemplated about a year before.

The decision to step down came in the wake of allegations raised by actress Amanda Abbington in 2023 against Strictly professional dancer Giovanni Pernice, which resulted in her leaving the competition. Although an investigation cleared Pernice of most allegations, subsequent claims of mistreatment by another dancer, Graziano Di Prima, added to the show’s controversies.

Contrary to rumors suggesting their exit was prompted by a desire to disassociate from the show, Claudia clarified that their decision was not influenced by such factors. She emphasized the show’s positive aspects and expressed a wish to leave on a high note when the time was right.

Following their departure announcement, various names were considered as potential replacements, including comedian Alan Carr, who declined the offer due to prior commitments. Claudia refrained from discussing preferences for their successors, trusting the show’s team to make the appropriate choice.

Despite their professional bond on-screen, Tess and Claudia maintain a strong friendship off-camera, planning to reunite for the premiere of the upcoming season. Claudia reflected on the emotional significance of bidding farewell to a show she had been part of for two decades, describing it as a poignant moment in her life.

Moving forward, Claudia has ventured into hosting her own talk show, set to air on March 13, produced by So Television, a part of ITV Studios. The show will feature celebrity interviews in front of a live audience, following in the footsteps of renowned talk show host Graham Norton.

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