Strictly's Shirley Ballas names Tess and Claudia 'replacements' just days before final
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will step down from Strictly at the end of the current series.
Strictly Come Dancing star Shirley Ballas has suggested two TV stars who could be the perfect replacements for Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. The pair, who have co-hosted Strictly together since 2014, announced in October that the current series would be their last. Tess, 56, and Claudia, 53, will present the BBC programme for the last time this Saturday (December 20) before making their final appearance during the pre-recorded festive special which will air on Christmas Day.
Following news of their departure, attention quickly turned to who will replace the duo. Head judge Shirley, 65, who sits alongside Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke on the panel, has now thrown her support behind two presenters, who appear to already be on BBC bosses' radar. "I think Rylan [Clark] could be a good candidate," Shirley told The Independent. "Judge Rinder would be wicked in the Clauditorium."
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Read more: BBC star 'confirms' Tess and Claudia's replacement as host breaks silence
The dancer said she knows "for sure" that her co-star Anton would love to be hosting, but swiftly removed her name from the debate.
She added: "There’s an expression in life to stay in your lane. My lane is dancing."
Gushing over the current presenters, Shirley said: "They’re so polite and so kind to every single person they meet. I think everyone’s going to be sad."
It comes after Tess and Claudia were left in tears after being presented with an emotional tribute during last weekend's results show. The four judges joined Claudia in the Clauditorium for a discussion ahead of the results, but called Tess to join them.
Craig, 60, explained that the judges wanted to pay tribute to their time on the show, saying: "We just want to tell you how much we're going to miss you and how much we love you to bits."
He added: "I personally, want to say thank you Clauds for the dresses and the shoes you've thrown my way and to you Tess, for all the pizza parties in your dressing room."
A VT then played showing Tess and Claudia's time on the show, including footage of the late Bruce Forsyth and comments from the judges.
"Between the two of them, they are magic," Shirley declared in the clip. "They showed me the ropes and cared about me and I for sure am going to miss them deeply."
And watching the montage, Tess and Claudia were in tears as the BBC host gushed: "We love you, we're so lucky. It's been an honour!"
Tess added: "You guys are like family to us, and we're always think that about you all. We've had the most amazing time."
