Claudia Winkleman Sets Record Straight on Strictly Come Dancing Departure
In a candid new interview, Claudia Winkleman has firmly denied that the recent string of scandals surrounding Strictly Come Dancing played any role in her decision to leave the beloved BBC dance competition. The presenter, who hosted her final show alongside Tess Daly in December, spoke out for the first time to address speculation linking their exit to the show's turbulent period.
Historic Partnership and Emotional Farewell
Claudia Winkleman joined the Strictly family in 2004, initially appearing on the spin-off show It Takes Two before stepping into the main role with Tess Daly in 2014, succeeding Sir Bruce Forsyth. Their partnership marked a historic moment as primetime television's first female presenting duo, captivating millions of viewers weekly. Tess, 56, managed the proceedings from beside the judges' desk, while Claudia, 54, brought lively chaos from the Claudatorium with the cast, creating a perfect balance that made their emotional exit last series a poignant moment for fans.
Despite the heartfelt departure, Claudia emphasized that she and Tess had planned to leave "about a year before" their official announcement, well before the controversies gained momentum. When questioned if the scandals were a tipping point, she responded emphatically, "Absolutely not. It is a genuinely beautiful show to be part of. Almost every single person who's taken part is happy they did. So no, it wasn't that."
Addressing Strictly's Controversial Years
Claudia's reference to "almost" every contestant likely alludes to figures like Amanda Abbington, whose allegations of bullying against professional partner Giovanni Pernice sparked a major internal investigation two years ago. This incident was just the beginning of a series of storms that rocked the show. After quitting prematurely, Amanda later expressed regret, citing post-traumatic stress disorder due to what she described as Giovanni's "inappropriate, mean, nasty bullying." While Giovanni refuted the claims, an inquiry upheld several complaints against him but cleared him of the most serious allegations of physical aggression.
Further controversies included past contestants Laura Whitmore and Ranvir Singh speaking out about Giovanni's training methods, and professional Graziano Di Prima being accused of "physically and verbally abusive" behavior towards Zara McDermott during rehearsals. Both professionals were removed from the lineup after investigations. Additional scandals involved Wynne Evans, who was axed from the live arena tour for a remark about host Janette Manrara, and an external investigation into cocaine use and drinking on the show, though no evidence was found. EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick also faced backlash for using a disabled slur backstage, leading to a brief suspension from the BBC soap.
Looking Ahead to New Beginnings
Claudia clarified that the real catalyst for her and Tess's departure was a desire for renewal. "The show deserves new," she declared. "We wanted to leave when we were on an absolute high." Reflecting on her final moments, Claudia admitted she "sobbed" to her husband, Kris Thykier, after filming her last piece to camera with Tess, with both their families in the audience. "It was 20 years of my life," she said, noting it felt "momentous" but was "the right time." She remains close to the team, with plans to dine together soon.
As speculation mounts about who will replace Claudia and Tess this autumn, front-runners include Emma Willis, Zoe Ball, Alex Jones, and Bradley Walsh, with names like Rylan Clark, Holly Willoughby, Angela Scanlon, and Alison Hammond also in consideration. Claudia expressed confidence in producer Sarah James's choice, saying, "I can't wait to watch it. Tess and I are spending the weekend together and watching the first one. It's diarised."
Meanwhile, Claudia is set to launch her own talk show, The Claudia Winkleman Show, on BBC One starting March 13. Despite fan excitement, she humorously quipped it might "fail," joking, "Then you're not gonna see me on a Saturday night. That's it. I'm done." After decades on one of British TV's biggest shows, she looks forward to quieter times, ideally "under the duvet with a dog."
