Strictly Come Dancing's Shirley Ballas has 'ideas' on who could replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman
There has been plenty of speculation on the show's futureTess Daly and Claudia Winkleman stunned viewers when they revealed they’ll be leaving Strictly at the end of this series. But judge Shirley Ballas has now offered a reassuring update about the Strictly Come Dancing’s future.
The popular presenting duo announced their exit last month, sparking a wave of speculation over who could possibly replace them. Some fans even questioned whether the iconic BBC show could continue without its long-time hosts.
However, Shirley has made it clear she’s not worried. The head judge insisted Strictly will keep dancing on, confident that the show’s magic is bigger than any single line-up.
Tess and Claudia’s shock Strictly exit
In a statement in October, Tess and Claudia said: “We have loved working as a duo and hosting Strictly has been an absolute dream. 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 just want to say an enormous thank you to the BBC and to every single person who works on the show. They’re the most brilliant team and we will miss them every day.”
Since the exit announcement, there have been reports that Alex Jones and Bradley Walsh could take their place. However, the biggest name that has been reported quite a few times is former This Morning star Holly Willoughby, who could be making her TV return.
But now, in the face of huge upheaval, head judge Shirley has tried to reassure fans that the show is not going anywhere.
Shirley Ballas gives show update
Speaking to Best Magazine, Shirley finally addressed the shock move by Tess and Claude. And she reminded everyone that it has survived other huge exits previously.
She said: “It survived both Len Goodman and Sir Bruce Forsyth leaving, bless them both. Strictly is bigger than any of us – the celebrities, professionals, presenters and judges. It’s like Coronation Street in that no one is bigger than the show.”
Len Goodman bowed out of Strictly Come Dancing after the 2016 Christmas Special, marking the end of his 12-year run as the show’s much-loved head judge.
Sir Bruce Forsyth, who co-hosted the series with Tess Daly from its launch in 2004 until 2013, also made a brief but memorable return for the Children In Need special in 2015. Their departures marked the end of an era for the BBC favourite – but their legacies continue to shape the show’s spirit to this day.
As for Tess and Claudia’s exit, Shirley admitted she “will miss them very much” but that she understands some people want to “move on”.
Shirley even spoke about the idea of herself leaving the series. She said it will come a time when she’s “ready to move on” and that the show will “thrive” as long as it continues doing what it does – bringing joy to viewers.
Although she has ‘ideas’ on who could be the new face of the show, she kept hush-hush.
Read more: Bookies reveal Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman’s next TV move following Strictly exit
