Strictly Come Dancing Professional Shares Insightful Two-Word Description of Claudia Winkleman
A professional dancer from the hit BBC show Strictly Come Dancing has revealed the two words that perfectly encapsulate his thoughts about former host Claudia Winkleman. Carlos Gu, who joined the popular dancing competition in 2022 and went on to win the Glitterball trophy with former Lioness Karen Carney last year, recently opened up about his admiration for the departing presenter.
Departure Announcement and Replacement Speculation
In October of last year, Claudia Winkleman and her co-host Tess Daly shocked fans and colleagues alike by announcing they would be stepping away from their joint presenting duties on the long-running BBC programme. This announcement sparked widespread speculation throughout the entertainment industry about who might replace the iconic duo, who had become synonymous with the show's success over many years.
When Carlos Gu was recently questioned about whether he might consider stepping into the presenting shoes vacated by Claudia and Tess, he responded with characteristic humility. The dancer explained that while he considers himself a "born performer" who would "die on stage," he doesn't believe he could "ever be a presenter." Despite his reluctance to pursue the hosting role himself, Carlos had nothing but praise for the departing presenters.
Carlos Gu's Admiration for the Departing Hosts
During a recent interview on Best Magazine's Suddenly Single podcast, Carlos was asked directly about the possibility of taking over from Claudia and Tess. His immediate response was one of surprise and affection: "I didn't see this coming... I love Claudia and Tess. I love both of them. They are just iconic and obsessed about Claudia, too, personally. I love her."
When the conversation turned specifically to Claudia Winkleman's unique personality and presentation style, Carlos was prompted with the suggestion that she might be described as "kooky." The professional dancer responded with his own two-word assessment that has since captured attention: "Very witty, very cool."
Understanding Claudia's Confidence and Self-Awareness
As the discussion continued, Carlos addressed another aspect of Claudia's public persona - the suggestion that The Traitors star "doesn't like looking in the mirror." The dancer offered a more nuanced interpretation, explaining that Claudia actually possesses deep self-awareness and confidence in her own value.
"No, it's just, oh, she's a woman who knows her value, and she knows everything about herself, and she's so confident with it, which is so powerful," Carlos elaborated. "Like, Tess is, too, you know." This insight provides a more complete picture of what makes Claudia Winkleman such an effective and beloved television presenter.
The End of an Era for Strictly Come Dancing
The departure of Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly represents the conclusion of a remarkable chapter in British television history. For Tess Daly specifically, this marks the end of an extraordinary 21-year journey with the programme that began with the very first show back in 2004.
Following their announcement, the duo shared a heartfelt message on Instagram reflecting on their time with Strictly Come Dancing. They noted that they "loved working as a duo and hosting Strictly has been an absolute dream." Claudia and Tess also revealed that they were "always going to leave together" and felt that this was the "right time" for their departure.
Tess Daly offered additional perspective on Instagram, sharing: "After 21 unforgettable years, the time has come to say goodbye to Strictly Come Dancing. It's hard to put into words what this show has meant to me... Strictly has been more than just a television programme. It's felt like having a third child, a second family, and a huge part of my life."
She continued with emotional reflection: "I knew then it was something special, but I could never have imagined the magic it would bring. Strictly has always been about joy, celebration, and bringing people together - and I'm so proud to have played a small part in something that continues to mean so much to so many."
As Strictly Come Dancing prepares to enter a new era without its familiar hosting duo, insights from those who worked closely with them, like Carlos Gu's two-word description of Claudia Winkleman as "very witty, very cool," help preserve the legacy of what made their partnership so special to viewers and colleagues alike.
