Sign in Subscribe
Daly, Tess

Strictly Come Dancing's Departure: A Shake-Up in Saturday Night TV

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The announcement of Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly's departure from Strictly Come Dancing marks a significant shift in the format of Saturday night television. The duo, who have been presenting the show since 2014, will be handing over the reins at the end of the current season, sparking questions about the future of the presenting duo format and the BBC's plans for the show.

Key Takeaways:

  • Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly are to leave Strictly Come Dancing after 23 seasons, sparking a major shake-up in the format of Saturday night TV.
  • The duo, both reportedly paid £150,000 per season, remain the reigning queens of Saturday night TV, but their departure marks a departure from the traditional presenting duo format.
  • The BBC is facing questions about the future of the show, with reports suggesting it could be "rested" or axed, with the "Saturday night TV" model being beyond retro and verging on prehistoric.
  • The huge success of The Traitors/Celebrity Traitors has seen Winkleman's star blaze, with news emerging of her getting her own high-end primetime BBC chat show.
  • Daly has been presenting Strictly since it began in 2004, initially with the late Bruce Forsyth, but has reportedly been involved in recent controversies, including allegations of bullying and stimulant abuse.
  • The cyclical Strictly scandals may have contributed to the duo's decision to leave, with some speculating that the announcement was timed to mitigate the damage to the show's image.
  • The presenting duo format, dominated by Ant and Dec and other morning TV duos, has been criticized as tired and outmoded, with Winkleman and Daly's success constituting a long-overdue format refreshing.

Statistics:

  • The show has seen a significant decline in viewership since its peak, with average viewership dropping from nearly 8.6 million in 2018 to just over 5 million in 2022.
  • The departure of Winkleman and Daly marks a departure from the traditional presenting duo format, which has been in place for decades.
  • The BBC's plans for Strictly Come Dancing are unclear, with some speculating that the show could be "rested" or axed.
  • Winkleman's new show is expected to air on the BBC, potentially benefiting from the success of The Traitors/Celebrity Traitors.

Sources:

  • [Barbara Ellen, "TV Review: Strictly Come Dancing, BBC1", The Guardian, no date specified, although "rumoured to have been filmed some time ago" ]
  • [No other sources mentioned in the article]

Read more