Britain’s News logo Britain’s News
Fri 16 Jan 2026 • 03:52

BBC boss says Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman replacements 'on hold'

BBC boss says Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman replacements 'on hold'

The BBC has provided a key update regarding the hosting position for the popular show, Strictly Come Dancing. Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will not be replaced immediately, as their potential successors are currently "on hold." This decision follows discussions with the outgoing hosts, who have expressed their desire to control the announcement of their departure.

Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman made the choice to step down from their roles, and they proactively reached out to inform BBC executives about their decision. "That was very much Tess and Claudia's decision, and they did ring me to tell me what they were thinking. They were worried it was going to leak, which we often have, so they wanted to announce it on their own terms," said a BBC representative, clarifying their approach to the announcement.

The anticipation surrounding their replacements has generated significant public interest. Podcast host Richard Osman acknowledged this, stating, "So many people have asked the question, which I'm not going to ask you, is who is going to be the next host of Strictly." The BBC is now managing speculation while respecting the timing and wishes of the program’s previous presenters.