Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Oti Mabuse has confidently predicted the BBC juggernaut will continue for many years to come, despite the seismic departure of its iconic presenting duo.
A Show That Belongs to the People
Mabuse, 35, who is now head judge on Dancing With The Stars Ireland, spoke emotionally about hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman stepping down after their final show on Christmas Day 2025. She declared the programme's future remains secure because of its deep connection with the audience.
"I love Strictly. I wouldn't be sitting here without that show," Mabuse told The Times. "Strictly belongs to the people, and as long as the people still love it, it will go on for years."
Tribute to a 'Brilliant' Duo
Paying a heartfelt tribute to the departing hosts, Mabuse became emotional. "Claudia and Tess are … I get emotional when I talk about it, because they are just so brilliant," she said.
She explained that her new role as a judge has given her a fresh appreciation for the pressure of live television presenting. "Nobody really sees the work Tess has to do - that show's live, she's making sure it's not running over," Mabuse revealed. "Now I'm a judge I appreciate the job even more because I can talk for days, I can hear the producers in my ear saying, 'Make it snappy!'"
She also praised Claudia Winkleman's unique talent, highlighting her "wit" and "humour".
Strictly's Enduring Legacy
The two-time Strictly champion, who lifted the Glitterball trophy with partners Kelvin Fletcher and Bill Bailey, emphasised the show's resilience. She pointed out that the programme has successfully weathered significant changes before.
"But we've lost judges, we've lost pros, we've lost producers and the show is just itself," Mabuse stated. "I think it will survive and thrive."
Expressing confidence in the BBC's selection process for new hosts, she added: "And I think anyone who gets asked to do that job is so lucky and will do it splendidly, the producers will do a good job [choosing] because they know that show better than any of us."
The announcement that Daly and Winkleman were leaving was made jointly on their Instagram accounts in October 2025, ending a 21-year partnership. Their final Christmas special prompted an outpouring of emotion from fans online, with many describing it as "the end of an era".
The BBC is now tasked with finding replacements for the legendary pair. A wide range of presenting names have been linked to the roles, including:
- Bradley Walsh
- Alex Jones
- Alan Carr
- Rylan Clark
- Alison Hammond
The search for the new faces of Strictly is one of the most anticipated decisions in British television for 2026.
