Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman's first Strictly since exit news - how it went down
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman returned to air on Saturday night days after announcing their bombshell exit - and there were more surprises to come with this week's dance-off
Strictly Come Dancing’s Icon Week marked the first live show since the bombshell news the hosts were leaving after 11 years.
All eyes were on Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman as they stepped onto the dancefloor - would they mention their exit? Would they show any hint of what is sure to have been an emotionally charged week?
The presenters came out together beaming with Claudia in a chic silk shirt and high-waisted trousers and Tess looking as glam as ever in a navy jumpsuit. So far nothing seemed any different to any other week on the glossy dance show.
After fronting the show together since 2014 - and even longer for Tess who hosted with the late Sir Bruce Forsyth for another seven years prior to that - the pair are the reliable faces of a well-oiled Strictly machine.
However, this week the show started unusually.
”Just before we get started, Claude and I announced this week that this will be our last series of Strictly Come Dancing,” began Tess.
“We want to thank you for your beautiful messages,” Claudia continued. “We’ve got another eight weeks on this incredible show and a Strictly champion to crown.”
“We can’t wait to spend the rest of the series with you, the couples and these four - please welcome the judges!” cried Claudia.
Viewers thought they clocked Tess with tears in her eyes as she delivered the statement. For now though the pair are ready to handover the baton
"I know the new hosts will be magnificent, I look forward to watching them take Strictly to new heights," Claudia insisted this week.
The pair always had a pact to leave together, but although insiders say they had reportedly been planning it for a year behind closed doors, the decision was still a shock to producers and crew.
A TV source told the Mirror : “The feeling is Tess and Claudia wanted to go out at the top and whilst the show is still huge and shortly after they received MBEs. Announcing it mid series also gives them a bit of a swan-song and doesn’t take the spotlight away from the winner.
"Claudia is right at her career peak with The Traitors and other TV offers flooding in. Tess has been hosting the show for more than two decades and like that idea of more weekends with her family and her friends.
"The recent scandals around the show have also impacted the ratings a little bit and there might be more around the corner, so they weighed it up and feel it is the right time to quit."
On Sunday night, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has left Strictly ComeDancing following a shock dance-off. The ex-footballer, 53, and partner Lauren Oakleyhad received their best score so far for their Prince inspired American smooth to Purple Rain. Despite finishing joint third of the leaderboard, they lost out to tearful West End star Amber Davies, 29, and partner Nikita Kuzmin, who judges unanimously voted to save after their cha-cha-cha. Former Chelsea star Jimmy said: “I never expected that I would enjoy it this much. This experience is going to live with me for ever.” Amber has now taken to Instagram to confess that she now feels like 'trash' as she held up a framed picture of her and Nikita on Strictly. In the clip, she posed over a voice-over that said: 'I woke up this morning and I felt like absolute garbage, for anyone who wants to know what garbage is, that is French for trash'. Alongside the post, she wrote "A gut-wrenching evening in the dance off, especially dancing against two of the most amazing people I’ve met on this experience, @official_jfhasselbaink & @laurenmayoakley. "I feel extremely lucky & thankful to be able to experience Halloween week on Strictly, but there will be two very special people missed. "If you voted for us, really really thank you, I guess this week we aim for a comeback week?! Thank you for holding my extremely shaky hands extra tight."