Strictly Come Dancing: Icons Week Proceeds After Hosts Announce Departure
As Strictly Come Dancing prepares for its annual Icons Week, the show faces a major change. Hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly have announced their departure after this season. Their final episode will air on Christmas Day, ending a long-standing era for the beloved program.
Hosts’ Departure Announcement
In a joint statement released on Thursday, Winkleman and Daly expressed their decision to leave the show together, stating it “feels like the right time.” While some fans anticipate further details during Saturday’s live performance, Winkleman reflected on the importance of leaving while still enjoying the experience.
Rumors have emerged suggesting that Winkleman may host her own chat show soon, although the BBC has yet to comment on this. The search for their replacements will reportedly take several months, as producers consider various candidates.
Possible Replacements for Strictly Come Dancing Hosts
The BBC is yet to reveal any potential successors for Winkleman and Daly, prompting speculation among commentators. Some leading contenders for the hosting role include:
- Fleur East – Current presenter of Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two
- Roman Kemp – The One Show’s presenter
- Hannah Waddingham – Actress and singer
- Stacey Dooley – Recent Strictly winner
- AJ Odudu – Co-host of Big Brother
- Alan Carr – Breakout star of Celebrity Traitors
- Holly Willoughby – Former This Morning presenter
- Alison Hammond – Popular ITV presenter
TV editor Caroline Frost considers Daly and Winkleman’s departure significant, though she believes a rebranding rather than cancellation is more likely for the show. Strictly Come Dancing continues to attract millions of viewers, maintaining its relevance in the competitive television landscape.
Icons Week: A Celebration of Music Legends
This Saturday, the remaining 11 couples will honor musical icons from various decades during Icons Week. Performances will include:
- Amber and Nikita – Cha Cha Cha to “Break Free” by Ariana Grande
- Alex and Johannes – Foxtrot to “Here You Come Again” by Dolly Parton
- Ellie and Vito – Salsa to “Spice Girls Medley”
- George and Alexis – Jive to “As It Was” by Harry Styles
- Harry and Karen – Argentine Tango to “Caught Up” by Usher
Special guest Rachel Zegler will perform “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina” during the results show. The addition of theme weeks, like Icons Week, adds excitement to the series, with themes from movies, Halloween, Blackpool, and musicals featured in previous seasons.
Competition Updates
Doctor Who actress Alex Kingston currently leads the competition, having secured a perfect score last week. Unfortunately, Neighbours star Stefan Dennis had to withdraw due to an injury, leaving the remaining couples to compete for the coveted titles.
Strictly Come Dancing continues to air live every Saturday, with the latest episodes broadcast on BBC One and available to stream on BBC iPlayer. As the show evolves, fans look forward to seeing how it will adapt to these significant changes.
