Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman to 'host new BBC show' after bombshell Strictly exit

Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman shocked fans and "blindsided" colleagues when they announced their departure from Strictly Come Dancing in a candid video shared on Thursday. It has since been reported the presenting duo could be back on screens together sooner than expected. According to reports, bosses want Tess, 56, and Claudia, 53, to front a new show together after leaving Strictly - and are said to have offered Claudia her own chat show. Executives are considering giving them another entertainment format as a duo, or possibly a quiz or travelogue series.

A source told The Sun: "This is all part of a drive by the BBC to keep the talent within the corporation. They feel that if they offer Claudia and Tess the right projects, they're likely to remain loyal."

They continued: "They had their lives taken over for three or four months every year because of the commitments that come with doing a live show.

"Plus, they'd almost certainly want to work together again as they have a great friendship."

The TV insider suggested the pair were more likely to agree to projects that wouldn't take weeks out of their schedules.

They also added Claudia's rumoured chat show is at a "fairly advanced stage" but they are waiting for the dust to settle on their bombshell Strictly exit news.

The BBC said their final appearance would come on this year's Christmas special show on 25 December.

Tess has presented since the first series 21 years ago. Claudia joined in 2014, having hosted Strictly's sister show It Takes Two since 2004.

One of the BBC's highest-rated shows, Strictly Come Dancing launched in 2004.

It was originally hosted by Tess and Sir Bruce Forsyth, who stepped down in 2014.