Strictly Come Dancing halted as Tess and Claudia address exit with emotional message

Strictly Come Dancing made its eagerly awaited return to the BBC with Icons Week. However, after hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman were introduced, the pair interrupted the competition's regular programming to issue an emotional statement.

Claudia kicked off the episode with: "Tonight our couples will pay tribute to some of the greatest music legends of all time." But before welcoming the judges, Tess shared: "Just before we get started, Claudia and I announced this week that this will be our last series of Strictly Come Dancing." As the studio audience groaned, her co-host continued: "We want to thank you for your beautiful messages."

Claudia reassured fans: "We've got another eight weeks on this incredible show and a Strictly champion to crown." To which Tess added: "We cannot wait to spend the rest of the series with you, with our amazing couples and, of course, with these four - please welcome the judges."

On Thursday, the hosts confirmed they will no longer be hosts in a shock announcement on social media.

In their unexpected joint post, Tess and Claudia shared: "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 we 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'll miss them every day. We will cry when we say the last 'keep dancing' but we will continue to say it to each other. Just possibly in tracksuit bottoms at home while holding some pizza."

While fans were astounded by the news, the real reason behind their departure has been exposed as sources claim the duo wanted to leave "go out at the top" amid ongoing scandals surrounding the show.

A TV source told the Mirror: "The feeling is Tess and Claudia wanted to go out at the top and whilst the show is still huge and shortly after they received MBEs. Announcing it mid series also gives them a bit of a swansong and doesn't take the spotlight away from the winner.

"Claudia is right at her career peak with The Traitors and other TV offers flooding in. Tess has been hosting the show for more than two decades and like that idea of more weekends with her family and her friends.

"The recent scandals around the show have also impacted the ratings a little bit and there might be more around the corner, so they weighed it up and feel it is the right time to quit."