Claudia Winkleman has opened up about the decision to leave Strictly Come Dancing alongside co-host Tess Daly, explaining they feared becoming complacent. The duo stepped down from the BBC show after 15 years, with Winkleman stating they wanted to exit while still loving it.
Speaking at a charity event, Winkleman said she began noticing signs that it was time to go. 'You want to leave on a high,' she explained. 'We were tiny cogs in this huge sparkly, glittery thing. We thought it was time to leave.' She added that even big-name performers and learning new dances had become routine, saying, 'It deserves change.'
Despite the decision, the final live show was emotional. 'I could not stop crying as it has been my entire life,' Winkleman said. She and Daly have already planned to watch the 2026 series launch together from home, with Winkleman joking about setting up a nightie for Daly.
Winkleman also discussed her role on The Traitors, noting it requires a stricter approach compared to Strictly. 'Tess did all the heavy lifting on Strictly,' she said. 'But on Traitors I had to be strict.' She admitted the show has made her more thoughtful about lying and deceit, and she has ruled out a children's version.
Asked about her own children, Winkleman said they have no interest in show business, with one wanting to work in hospitality, another as a doctor, and a third as a chemist. 'I told them to nepo up,' she joked, 'but they are not interested.'
