Claudia Winkleman’s departure fromStrictly Come Dancing, alongside Tess Daly, marked the end of an era. For years, the duo captivated audiences with their wit and warmth, becoming synonymous with the glittering world of ballroom dancing. But the decision to step down wasn’t born of scandal, despite a recent storm of controversy surrounding the show.
Winkleman revealed that she and Daly had discussed leaving “about a year before” their announcement. The timing, coinciding with a period of intense scrutiny forStrictly, was purely coincidental. She emphasized the show’s inherent beauty and the overwhelmingly positive experiences shared by most participants, dismissing any suggestion that a “scandal too many” prompted their exit.
The conversation shifted to the show’s future, a future Winkleman believed deserved fresh energy. “The show deserves new,” she stated firmly, explaining their desire to leave while still at the peak of their enjoyment. It was a conscious choice to hand the reins to a new generation, ensuringStrictly’s continued vibrancy.
Despite the confident decision, the farewell was deeply emotional. Winkleman confessed to “sobbing” to her husband, Kris Thykier, after filming her final moments with Tess, surrounded by their families. Twenty years invested in a beloved program doesn’t simply vanish; it leaves an indelible mark.
The past few years had indeed been turbulent forStrictly. Accusations of bullying leveled against professional dancer Giovanni Pernice by Amanda Abbington sparked a major internal investigation. Abbington later spoke of experiencing PTSD as a result of what she described as “inappropriate, mean, nasty bullying.”
The investigation upheld several complaints against Pernice, though it stopped short of confirming the most serious allegations. Further accusations surfaced, with other former contestants, including Laura Whitmore and Ranvir Singh, voicing concerns about Pernice’s training methods. Another professional, Graziano Di Prima, faced allegations of abusive behavior towards Zara McDermott, leading to his removal from the show.
The controversies continued with Wynne Evans’s abrupt departure from the live tour following an inappropriate remark directed at host Janette Manrara. Evans later expressed deep regret, a sentiment that led to the end of his BBC Radio contract. An investigation into allegations of cocaine use and excessive drinking among contestants ultimately found no supporting evidence.
Even beyond the professional dancers, a separate incident involvingEastEndersstar Jamie Borthwick using a disabled slur backstage added to the show’s challenges. He was briefly suspended from his role on the soap opera.
Now, all eyes are on who will fill the void left by Winkleman and Daly. Names like Emma Willis, Zoe Ball, Alex Jones, and Bradley Walsh are currently leading the speculation, with a host of other popular presenters also in contention. Winkleman, however, trusts the show’s producer, Sarah James, to make the right choice.
Winkleman is already looking forward to a new chapter, with her own talk show,The Claudia Winkleman Show, set to debut soon. Despite playfully predicting its failure, she embraces the opportunity, knowing that even if it doesn’t succeed, a comfortable retreat awaits. “Under the duvet with a dog,” she declared, a simple image of contentment after two decades in the spotlight.
