Broadcaster Mike Parry has declared that Strictly Come Dancing is “so over” as he unleashed a passionate rant on GB News.
The comments come after the two hosts of the show, Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly, announced that they are “passing the glittery baton” and quit the show yesterday.
Speaking on GB News, Mr Parry said: “I’m sorry, but I think the show’s over. It’s over now because of the presentation team.
“I mean, look at what happened when The Question of Sport decided to remove all the regular faces, bring in new people, and collapsed after just a year, that was a BBC programming decision.
Mike Parry has declared that Strictly Come Dancing is ‘so over’
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GB NEWS
“This, however, is because the two presenters have decided to pull out. Claudia Winkleman what a brave woman.
“She’s at the very peak of broadcasting popularity in this country and has suddenly decided: ‘I’m leaving. I don’t want to be branded all the time.’
“There’s even talk she may be developed into the next Terry Wogan, with her own show interviewing people.
“I’ve worked with Claudia’s mother in Fleet Street for years, and I know the strength and power of persuasion that family has.
“I have absolutely no doubt she’ll go on to even greater things.”
The ballroom dancing duo took to social media yesterday to share their decision with fans.
The BBC confirmed the decision was entirely the pair’s, with Chief Content Officer Kate Phillips saying: “I can’t quite believe I’m saying this, but it’s the end of an era.
“With Tess and Claudia’s decision to bid farewell to the Strictly ballroom, I understand why they’ve decided it’s time to hang up the glitterball and get their weekends back.”
In her own statement, Ms Winkleman described her on-screen connection with Tess Daly as “the greatest relationship of my career” and the show as “a magical, glittery, fake talent train”.
She added: “I’ve always believed it’s best to leave a party before you’re fully ready to go and I know the new hosts will be magnificent.”
Ms Daly said the programme’s team was “the very best in television” and thanked the “wonderful audience”.
“They’ve been with us for this entire journey of 21 years, and we wouldn’t have a show without them, and they’ve been just so loyal and supportive,” she added.
The pair said the current series is the “best” one yet and revealed plans for their own last dance.
“We can’t wait to do that show dance that we have long dreamt of,” Ms Daly said.