Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly have announced they are stepping down as hosts of BBC's Strictly Come Dancing after the current series. The duo shared the news in a joint Instagram post, stating they have decided to 'pass over the baton' after 21 years.
Daly has hosted the show since 2004, initially alongside Bruce Forsyth, while Winkleman joined as co-host in 2014 after previously presenting the companion show Strictly: It Takes Two. The pair said they will continue to host until the end of the 23rd series.
In their statement, Winkleman described Strictly as 'the greatest relationship of my career' and said she believes 'it's best to leave a party before you're fully ready to go'. Daly, who received an MBE for services to broadcasting in June, said they will 'cry when we say our last Keep dancing!'
The departure comes amid recent scandals, including a misconduct investigation that led to the exits of professional dancers Giovanni Pernice and Graziano di Prima, as well as reports of a cocaine probe and a rape arrest. The BBC has not yet commented on potential replacements.
