Strictly Come Dancing, the BBC’s glittering Saturday night staple, is back with a bang for its annual Icons Week—but this year, the sequins are tinged with nostalgia. Just days before the much-anticipated live show, presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman stunned fans with the announcement that they’ll be stepping down after more than two decades at the helm. Their final bow will come with the Christmas special, marking the end of an era for the beloved programme.
On Thursday, October 23, 2025, Daly and Winkleman delivered the news in an emotional video shared with fans. Claudia opened with characteristic candor: “There have been some rumblings and we want you to hear this from us.” Tess chimed in, “We have news, after 21 wonderfully joyful years on Strictly, we have decided that the time is right to step aside and pass over the baton.” The pair, who have been presenting together since 2014 (with Daly’s tenure stretching back to the show’s 2004 debut), were visibly moved as they reminisced about their journey. As Tess put it, “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 since that first show back in 2004.”
Winkleman, always quick with a quip, joked, “We will cry when we say the last ‘keep dancing’ but we will continue to say it to each other. Just possibly in tracksuit bottoms at home while holding some pizza.” Their joint statement reflected deep gratitude: “We were always going to leave together and now feels like the right time. We will have the greatest rest of this amazing series and we just want to say an enormous thank you to the BBC and to every single person who works on the show.”
BBC’s chief content officer, Kate Phillips, called it “the end of an era” and praised the duo as “incredible hosts.” Yet, as TV editor Caroline Frost told BBC Breakfast, there’s no need to “throw the baby out with the bath water.” She suggested that, like other BBC stalwarts—Doctor Who, Match of the Day, MasterChef—Strictly may be ripe for a rebrand rather than retirement. “It still draws in millions of viewers,” Frost said. “It’s only bad compared with those extraordinary, phenomenal ratings earlier in its reign.”
Speculation is already swirling about who might fill the iconic shoes of Daly and Winkleman. Bookmakers are touting The One Show’s Roman Kemp as a frontrunner, with odds also favoring Hannah Waddingham, AJ Odudu, Stacey Dooley, Alan Carr, and even Holly Willoughby and Alison Hammond. Some insiders wonder whether the BBC will promote from within, perhaps choosing a current or former host of the spin-off, Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two. Fleur East, Janette Manrara, Rylan Clark, and Zoe Ball all have their supporters, but BBC bosses remain tight-lipped. As Deadline reported, Winkleman herself is in advanced talks to host a new chat show, but the corporation has yet to comment officially.
Of course, the show must go on—and Icons Week promises to deliver the spectacle fans crave. The 11 remaining couples will perform routines inspired by musical legends spanning decades. Expect to see foxtrots, cha cha chas, quicksteps, and salsas set to hits by Beyoncé, Harry Styles, Ariana Grande, Dolly Parton, the Spice Girls, Cher, Celine Dion, Prince, Johnny Cash, Cheryl, and Usher. Last week, Doctor Who actress Alex Kingston dazzled the judges, earning a perfect 10 from head judge Shirley Ballas for her rumba and topping the leaderboard with 36 points.
But the excitement isn’t limited to the contestants. On Sunday, October 26, the professional dancers will take center stage for a show-stopping tribute to Britney Spears. According to the Daily Mail, the pros will don some of Britney’s most iconic outfits—from the school uniform in “Baby One More Time” to the red catsuit of “Oops!...I Did It Again” and the air hostess uniform from “Toxic.” Amy Dowden will channel the schoolgirl look, Katya Jones will slip into the red catsuit, and Nancy Xu will strut in the “Toxic” ensemble. The group number will also feature nods to “Womanizer,” “If You Seek Amy,” “Slave,” and “Circus,” promising a visual feast for fans of the pop superstar.
Meanwhile, Hollywood and West End star Rachel Zegler, fresh from her acclaimed turn in Evita, will grace the results show with a performance of “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina.” At just 24, Zegler has already made waves in both film and theatre, and her guest appearance adds an extra dash of glamour to the proceedings.
Yet, not all news is cause for celebration. Neighbours star Stefan Dennis, who joined the cast with high hopes, was forced to withdraw from the competition after suffering a severe calf injury. “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),” Dennis said in a heartfelt statement. He will not be replaced, meaning this year’s series is on track for a three-couple final.
As always, the competition is fierce. On Saturday night, couples will interpret classics like “Here You Come Again” by Dolly Parton, “Break Free” by Ariana Grande, “Texas Hold 'Em” by Beyoncé, and “As It Was” by Harry Styles. The judges—rumored to be in costume as their own favorite icons—will dole out scores before viewers cast their votes. On Sunday, the two lowest-placed couples will face off in the dreaded dance-off, fighting for a place in next week’s Halloween special, a perennial favorite with fans.
Icons Week, introduced last year to celebrate Strictly’s 20th anniversary, has quickly become a highlight of the series. Alongside other themed weeks—Movies, Halloween, Blackpool, and Musicals—it keeps the format fresh and viewers engaged. The show continues to air live at 6:25pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, drawing millions despite the changing landscape of TV entertainment.
For many, Daly and Winkleman are synonymous with Strictly’s warmth and sparkle. As Tess reflected, “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.” Their departure marks a significant transition, but as the glitter settles and the music swells, the dance floor remains open for new stars—and new memories.
