Overview
- Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman confirmed on 23 October that they will leave Strictly Come Dancing at the end of the current series, with a farewell at the Christmas special.
- Joe Sugg said in a new video that the announcement appeared "rushed," suggesting the pair may have moved early to pre-empt a media leak, echoing his own experience with press pressure.
- Zoe Ball publicly expressed interest in the presenting role and emerged as a bookmakers' frontrunner after discussing a return on her podcast.
- Other names reported by betting markets and media include Rylan Clark, Janette Manrara and Fleur East, while ex-pro Vincent Simone floated high-profile veterans such as Paddy McGuinness or Noel Edmonds as possibilities.
- The BBC has not announced successors and the current series continues, with the departure unfolding against a backdrop of recent scrutiny over casting and professional conduct on the show.