As Strictly is back on screens, bookies take bets on new Tess and Claudia

Strictly Come Daly and Claudia Winkleman, just days after host Tess Daly & Claudia Winkelman shocked viewers by announcing that they will not be attending the competition's annual Icons Week. The pair said in a joint statement on Thursday that they were

always going to leave together, and now seems to be the right time. At the end of the current cycle, the pair will be able to perform together in the Christmas special, which is likely to be their last performance. Those who have speculated that the pair will reveal more about their departure during Saturday's live show.

It's best to leave a party before you're fully ready to go," Winkleman said earlier this week.

Winkleman, who also hosts Traitors and Celebrity Traiters, is in advanced talks to host her own chat show, according to Deadline on Friday. The BBC has not commented. There is also no hint from the BBC as to who will take over from Winkleman and Daly on Strictly, and it could be several months before replacements are announced. Commentators have speculated over who would be the right choice for the role and whether it should be a well-known presenter or an up-and-coming celebrity. Producers may want to bring a current or former presenter from sister show Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two. The show is currently hosted by singer Fleur East, who appeared in Strictly Come Dancing in 2022, and professional dancer Janette Manrara. Rylan Clark, a broadcaster, has been hosting the spin-off for four years, and Radio 2 host Zoe Ball hosted it for ten years.

Some bookmakers have selected Roman Kemp as their favorite for the Strictly job, with Coral lowering their chances. Among the other names being considered are actress Hannah Waddingham, Big Brother co-host AJ Odudu, former Strictly champion Stacey Dooley, and Celebrity Traitors breakout star Alan Carr. Holly Willoughby has also been listed as a surprise front runner, with Alison Hammond, another ITV celebrity, also on the list. It's either BBC bosses want to recruit from within the company or choose to poach actors from rivals that are not familiar. Daly and Winkleman were described as a good presenting pair by Caroline Frost, the Radio Times' television editor. When asked if their departure could possibly result in an end to the show, the TV critic told BBC Breakfast that there was no need to throw the baby out with the bath water and that a rebrand was more likely. It still draws in millions of viewers, she said of Strictly Come Dancing.

It's just bad compared to those dazzling, soaring ratings that have existed in its time.

Understandably, it will be like other shows we've seen before," says Doctor Who, Match of the Day, MasterChef; they've all had chances for a rebrand. So this may be one of those shows.

The 11 remaining couples will take to the ballroom floor on Saturday evening to honor music icons from across the decades, with Beyoncé, Harry Styles, and Ariana Grande among the mix. Rachel Zegler, a Hollywood actress, will also appear in the results show on Sunday night, presenting Don't Cry For Me Argentina. However, Neighbours star Stefan Dennis will no longer be seen after being forced to withdraw from the game due to injury.

'The end of an era'

Tess Daly began presenting Strictly Come Daly alongside Sir Bruce Forsyth 21 years ago, whilst Winkleman became a main host in 2014.

We have loved being as a pair and hosting Strictly Come Dancing has been a real pleasure,

they said in a joint statement on Thursday.

Daly and Winkleman appeared on the hit BBC show as it has been subjected to a string of scandals in recent years, relating to the conduct of some of its professional dancers and celebrity guests. Kate Phillips, the BBC's chief content officer, called it

the end of an ageand referred to the pair asincredible hosts.

Here's who is dancing on Saturday night - and to what:

The show goes on, away from the Tess and Claudia news, with the couples performing routines to songs from their favorite music heroes on Saturday night. Last year, Icons Week was launched to celebrate Strictly's 20th anniversary. The other week in Strictly Come Dancing include movies, Halloween, Blackpool, and Musicals. The judges will also be dressed as different characters, but fans will have to wait to find out who they are really dressed as. They will announce their results before viewers can vote and have their say. Alex Kingston, a doctor who actor, led the leaderboard with 36 points last week, but more importantly, she was named a queen by head judge Shirley Ballas, who gave her a perfect ten for her Rumba. Dennis, a professional Dianne Buswell, released a statement this week that he had to rn his calf so significantly that i had been asked to leave the tournament early this week. When I first saw the Australian actor backstage a few weeks before the first live show, he told me his main reason for being involved was so he could take his wife out dancing. He also said in his address that he would still be able to do so.

I owe both the Strictly family and Dianne a great deal of gratitude for giving me the opportunity to dance with my wife (when my leg is better),

Dennis said. Dennis won't be replaced in the contest. With the couples who are already involved, the season will continue, with three couples in the final this year. The professional dancers will perform a dance on Sunday night in honor of pop singer Britney Spears. Zegler, a 24-year-old actor who appeared in Jamie Lloyd's revival of Evita in the West End this summer, will compete in the show's most popular song. But it's not all fun and games. The two top couples in the dreaded dance-off will go head-to-head on Sunday night, with both competing for a spot in the annual Halloween parade next weekend. On BBC One and BBC iPlayer, Strictly Come Dancing is televised live on BBC One at 18:25 BST.