Claudia Winkleman Breaks Silence on Strictly Come Dancing Departure After Two Decades
Beloved television presenter Claudia Winkleman has finally opened up about her decision to leave Strictly Come Dancing after an impressive 20-year tenure, directly addressing widespread rumours that her exit was linked to the show's recent controversies. Alongside co-host Tess Daly, Winkleman announced her departure last year, sparking considerable speculation that both presenters wished to distance themselves from scandals that had tarnished the programme's reputation.
Denying the Scandal Connection
In a revealing interview, Winkleman firmly dismissed suggestions that her departure was motivated by the various allegations and investigations that have surrounded Strictly Come Dancing in recent years. "Absolutely not, it is a genuinely beautiful show to be part of," she told the Daily Mail. "Almost every single person who's taken part is happy they did. So no, it wasn't that. The show deserves new. We wanted to leave when we were on an absolute high."
The speculation intensified following high-profile incidents involving professional dancers Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima, both of whom faced accusations of inappropriate behaviour from celebrity partners during rehearsals. An investigation into Pernice's conduct cleared him of most allegations, but the controversies nevertheless cast a shadow over the show's glittering image.
The Real Reason Behind the Exit
Winkleman disclosed that she and Daly had actually made their decision approximately a year before announcing it publicly. "It occurred to both of us about a year before," she revealed, emphasising that their departure was carefully timed to coincide with the show's peak popularity rather than any negative associations.
The presenter expressed complete confidence in the show's production team to select suitable replacements, specifically mentioning Sarah James, who oversees the programme. "Sarah James, who runs this sparkly, fantastic ship, will choose correctly. I can't wait to watch it," Winkleman stated, choosing not to speculate about potential successors despite comedian Alan Carr having reportedly turned down the role due to existing commitments.
Emotional Final Moments and Future Plans
Despite her conviction that leaving was the right decision, Winkleman described experiencing overwhelming emotions during her final moments on the show. "We did our last piece to camera, then I went to my husband and sobbed. Really, really cried," she confessed. "It was 20 years of my life. I know it was the right time. I will always be friendly with the team, we're going out for dinner in a couple of weeks. It was emotional."
She explained that the intensity of her reaction stemmed from the momentous nature of ending such a significant chapter in her career, describing the experience as "overwhelming" and "momentous."
Winkleman also revealed that she and Daly maintain a strong friendship off-screen and have already made plans to watch the first episode of the upcoming series together. "Tess and I are spending the weekend together and watching the first one. It's diarised," she shared, highlighting their continued support for the programme despite no longer being involved.
Looking Forward to New Challenges
As she moves on from Strictly Come Dancing, Winkleman is preparing to launch her own chat show on BBC, following in the footsteps of fellow presenter Graham Norton. Produced by So Television, part of ITV Studios, the programme is scheduled to premiere on March 13 and will feature Winkleman interviewing prominent celebrities in front of a live audience each week.
This new venture represents an exciting next step in her broadcasting career, allowing her to build upon the interviewing skills and audience rapport she developed during her two decades on one of Britain's most beloved entertainment programmes.
