Vernon Kay has taken to Instagram to share a sweet tribute to his wife Tess Daly and her Strictly Come Dancing co-star Claudia Winkleman after the pair announced they’d be leaving the show.
Both Ms Daly and Ms Winkleman have been involved with Strictly since day one, with Mr Kay’s wife previously fronting the show opposite the late Bruce Forsyth.
Meanwhile, in 2004, Ms Winkleman was the face of the dance competition’s spin-off series, It Takes Two, which is now hosted by Janette Manrara and Fleur East.
In 2010, Ms Winkleman made the move to fronting the results show with Ms Daly, and it was in 2014 that she was made a permanent co-host of the flagship series.
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman are leaving Strictly
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GETTY
After releasing a joint statement in which the two agreed this year felt like the “right time” to step back, Mr Kay has joined the lengthy list of famous faces paying tribute.
On Instagram, less than an hour after the news broke, Mr Kay reposted an artist’s sketch of his wife and her co-star on Strictly.
“What a fantastic duo they have been,” the heartfelt tribute read, with Mr Kay reposting it to his 925k followers.
Meanwhile, the pair’s joint statement has also been flooded with heartbroken messages from die-hard Strictly fans, and some very familiar faces.
Vernon Kay has paid tribute to his wife Tess Daly
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In the joint statement, the duo said: “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,” they added before signing off with their names.
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Vernon Kay and Tess Daly
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PA
Ms Winkleman then took to her own page to share a statement of her own. She penned: “It’s very difficult to put into words exactly what Strictly has meant to me.
“It’s been the greatest relationship of my career. From working on It Takes Two in 2004 until now it has been my everything, the show I will be eternally grateful for.
“I will never forget Len Goodman trying to teach me what a cucaracha is (I still don’t know) and the complete thrill and honour it was to work with Tess on the results show to cohosting on Saturday nights. Strictly is a magical, glittery, fake tanned train and it’s been a privilege to be a tiny part of it.
“The extraordinary talent of the dancers, the band, the hair and makeup and costume teams, the unbelievable production crew and creatives – all utterly amazing. 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, I look forward to watching them take Strictly to new heights.
“As for Tess – I’m so so lucky I got to stand next to you. You’re funny, kind, whip smart and a true friend and I love you.”
Strictly stars, both pro dancers and celebrity novices from both past and present, have since taken to social media to express their dismay.
Reigning champion Dianne Buswell wrote in her own dedicated Instagram post: “Tess and Claud genuinely the coolest big sisters ever!
“So lucky to have got to work with you both for all these years! You will be missed dearly. Just a question does this mean you can now compete on the show if so I bags the all girl partnership?” alongside laughing emojis.
Meanwhile, current contestant Vicky Pattison wrote to Ms Winkleman: “Irreplaceable mate… you are effortlessly hilarious, warm and wonderfully gracious with us all. You will be missed.. an honour to do your last series with you.”
Current It Takes Two host Ms Manrara weighed in: “Legends of the ballroom and Saturday night prime time TV.
“Have enjoyed working with you both immensely over the years and I will miss you. And, as our show’s saying goes, always and forever ‘keep dancing’.”
Pro dancer Nancy Xu echoed: “I’m so grateful that came to this show and worked with the most talented in the business! It wouldn’t be the same without both of you… gonna miss you both so very much.”
And fellow pro Michelle Tsiakkis similarly typed: “You two made Strictly what it is and it just won’t be the same without you. You’re both amazing. I’m sooo grateful to have worked with you both and I wish you the best for the future.”
Meanwhile, former champion dancer Oti Mabuse concurred: “Wow! How devastating. You two have been incredible to work with – thank you so much for all the beautiful memories, for representing females presenters, being iconic, the laughs and years of family you’ve given all us.
“From the beginning you were the highlight of our weekends! Wish you both luck – I will miss you so much!!!” (sic)