By Harshit, LONDON, Oct. 25, 2025
Strictly Come Dancing is entering a historic moment as veteran presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman prepare to step down at the end of the current series. Their departure was announced earlier this week, just days before the show kicks off its much-anticipated Icons Week, leaving fans and the BBC pondering the future of the ballroom classic.
“We have loved working as a duo and hosting Strictly has been an absolute dream,” Daly and Winkleman said in a joint statement. “We are always going to leave together and now feels like the right time.”
The duo, who have fronted the hit BBC dance show through triumphs and controversies alike, will end their tenure with the Christmas special as their final episode. The BBC’s chief content officer, Kate Phillips, described their exit as “the end of an era” and praised them as “incredible hosts.”
Icons Week: A Celebration of Music and Dance
Despite the presenters’ farewell news, the show continues in full swing with Icons Week, a celebration of musical legends across the decades. Saturday’s live show will feature the 11 remaining celebrity couples performing routines inspired by iconic songs from artists including Beyoncé, Harry Styles, and Ariana Grande.
Hollywood star Rachel Zegler, 24, is set to make a guest appearance on Sunday’s results show, performing the iconic “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina.”
However, not all couples will perform. Neighbours actor Stefan Dennis withdrew from the competition due to a significant calf injury, leaving the show to continue with its remaining pairs. Dennis expressed gratitude for the opportunity, stating, “I owe both the Strictly family and Dianne a massive debt of gratitude for giving me the opportunity to fulfil my dream of being able to dance with my wife (when my leg is better).”
Saturday’s performances will include:
- Alex and Johannes – Foxtrot to Here You Come Again by Dolly Parton
- Amber and Nikita – Cha Cha Cha to Break Free by Ariana Grande
- Balvinder and Julian – Quickstep to Texas Hold ’Em by Beyoncé
- Ellie and Vito – Salsa to Spice Girls Medley
- George and Alexis – Jive to As It Was by Harry Styles
- Harry and Karen – Argentine Tango to Caught Up by Usher
- Jimmy and Lauren – American Smooth to Purple Rain by Prince
- Karen and Carlos – Rumba to Think Twice by Céline Dion
- La Voix and Aljaž – Salsa to Strong Enough by Cher
- Lewis and Katya – Quickstep to Ring of Fire by Johnny Cash
- Vicky and Kai – Couple’s Choice to Fight For This Love by Cheryl
Professional dancers will also perform tribute routines to pop star Britney Spears, recreating her most iconic looks.
Future of Strictly Come Dancing: Who Will Take Over?
With the departure of Daly and Winkleman, speculation is rife over potential replacements. The BBC has yet to comment on new hosts, and it may take months before replacements are confirmed. Bookmakers and industry insiders have floated several possibilities, including:
- Fleur East, singer and current host of Strictly: It Takes Two
- Roman Kemp, host of The One Show
- Actress Hannah Waddingham, AJ Odudu, former winner Stacey Dooley, Alan Carr, Holly Willoughby, and Alison Hammond
TV editor Caroline Frost of the Radio Times called Daly and Winkleman a “formidable presenting duo” and suggested the show might undergo a rebrand rather than end altogether.
“It still draws in millions of viewers,” Frost said. “It’s only bad compared with those extraordinary, phenomenal ratings earlier in its reign. But certainly it will be like other programmes we’ve seen before – Doctor Who, MasterChef, Match of the Day – all have had opportunities for a rebrand.”
The Legacy of Daly and Winkleman
Tess Daly has been a mainstay of Strictly Come Dancing since 2002, originally co-presenting with the late Sir Bruce Forsyth. Winkleman joined as a main presenter in 2014, creating a dynamic duo beloved by audiences. Over the years, the pair have navigated controversies surrounding the behavior of professional dancers and celebrity participants while keeping the show’s celebratory spirit alive.
Their departure marks the closing of a significant chapter for the BBC show, which continues to captivate audiences with dazzling routines and star-studded performances.
What’s Next for Claudia Winkleman?
Winkleman, who also hosts Traitors and Celebrity Traitors, is reportedly in advanced talks to launch her own chat show, according to Deadline, though the BBC has not commented. Both presenters have suggested they plan to leave on a high note, celebrating their time on the series before embarking on new ventures.
Saturday’s Dance Highlights and Upcoming Episodes
Icons Week brings heightened competition as judges score performances in costume, paying tribute to various music legends. Audience voting will ultimately decide which couples advance, while the bottom two pairs face the dance-off on Sunday night, battling for a chance to continue into the upcoming Halloween special.
Alex Kingston, who recently scored a perfect 10 from head judge Shirley Ballas for her rumba, leads the leaderboard, setting a high bar for the remaining contestants.
A Night to Remember
While the focus is on the upcoming Icons Week, the shadow of Daly and Winkleman’s exit looms large. Fans are preparing to bid farewell to the duo who have become synonymous with Strictly Come Dancing, even as they enjoy performances celebrating the music and dance icons of generations past.
As the show continues, it remains clear that the next chapter of Strictly will require careful planning, both to honor its storied past and to keep audiences engaged with fresh presenting talent and dazzling ballroom spectacles.