Former Strictly Come Dancing professional James Jordan has reacted to Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman’s upcoming exit, piling on the pressure to whoever replaces the duo with a warning.
It was announced on Thursday, October 23, that the beloved Strictly double act would be leaving the show after the current series, following their lengthy stint together.
The popular presenters have been part of the show since the very first series back in 2004, with Ms Daly initially hosting alongside the late Bruce Forsyth and Ms Winkleman presenting the series’ spin-off, It Takes Two.
In 2014, Ms Winkleman became a part of the main show following Mr Forsyth’s exit, with the two personalities cementing themselves as Strictly stalwarts in the years since.
In a statement that shocked both fans and dancers alike on Thursday, though, the duo declared they would be moving on after the current series as it “feels like the right time”.
Among those who have swiftly responded to the bombshell Strictly news is Mr Jordan, who starred in the competition series as a professional dancer from 2006 to 2013.
Describing the update as “huge,” he added: “I worked with them both for eight series, and they were brilliant to me and Ola: warm, funny, totally professional.
“Claudia is genuinely hilarious and so quick, Tess was always kind and steady.
“Together they’ve been the bricks and mortar of Strictly. Two decades is extraordinary service, and the show would not have become a juggernaut without them.”
Issuing caution to the show and whoever ends up replacing the pair, Mr Jordan added: “Both going at once is massive.
“Whoever steps in is inheriting a double act with real chemistry and ease. Big shoes to fill.”
Speaking via Freebets.com, Mr Jordan shared who he believes should take on the daunting task, adding: “It’s such a big call that I wouldn’t rush it.
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“You need humour, warmth, and empathy—and two people who gel naturally.
“Names I like as presenters generally include Bradley Walsh and Vernon Kay. Are they right for Strictly? Possibly.
“I’ve heard Rylan and Stacey Dooley floated – they’re logical picks given their links to the show, but I’d still urge the BBC to think outside the box rather than default to the obvious.”
In a joint statement shared on Instagram this morning, the pair announced the news, reflecting: “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.”