Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman are the sparkling co-hosts of Strictly as it returns – and as a source says, the storms they’ve weathered have only made their bond stronger
It’s been rocked by one scandal after another, but one thing that has remained steady on Strictly Come Dancing is the unbreakable bond between hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. This year, as the BBC One dance show celebrates its 21st anniversary, the duo will be marking their 11th year as co-hosts. And their on-screen chemistry is as strong as ever. “Tess has such a strong bond with Claudia,” a source exclusively tells OK!.
“They’re great friends and both very career-driven, but they also have great chemistry on the telly. And they’ve got each other’s back – always.” The duo’s rapport on camera is helped by the fact that they’re close pals off-screen. Tess has described Claudia – who shares children Jake, 22, Matilda, 19, and Arthur, 14, with her film producer husband, Kris Thykier – as her “sister” and has often spoken about how much she enjoys hosting with her.
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“It always felt natural and right,” the mum-of-two has said. “When you genuinely get on with someone, it is a joy to stand next to them because it doesn’t feel like work. It feels like an extension of your friendship.”
Tess, 56, and Claudia’s partnership blossomed after original co-host, the late Sir Bruce Forsyth, stepped down following the 2013 series. But the pair first met when Claudia, 53, started hosting spin-off show It Takes Two in 2004. “Tess had just had her little girl, Phoebe, and we started talking about our kids straight away,” she said.
Claudia’s promotion to Saturday night co-host came after Sir Bruce left, but by then she was already a regular fixture on Sunday night’s results show. “We filmed the Sunday results show before we started doing the main show together, so we already had that experience of standing side by side on the Strictly floor,” said Tess. “It felt like a natural progression for us to do that. It’s comfortable. You don’t have to fake any camaraderie – it’s already there because you genuinely like the person. That always helps.”
Over the years, Strictly has become as famous for its off-screen dramas as for what happens on the dance floor – most notably the so-called “Strictly curse”, which has seen contestants fall for their dance partners, often at the expense of their own relationships. And Tess and Claudia have faced their own challenges along the way.
In October 2014, Claudia was forced to step back from hosting when her daughter Matilda was involved in a freak accident after her Halloween costume caught fire. Matilda, who was eight at the time, was treated for severe burns and Claudia – who described the experience as “life-changing” – understandably took time off.
During her absence, Tess – who shares daughters Phoebe, 20, and Amber, 16, with her husband, BBC Radio 2 DJ Vernon Kay – was joined by temporary co-host Zoe Ball until Claudia was able to return to work, three weeks later. “It was a hellish time,” Tess said, of her friend’s ordeal. “It is every parent’s nightmare; your child involved in an accident.”
In turn, Claudia is said to have been a rock for Tess when Vernon, 51, became embroiled in a sexting scandal with glamour model Rhian Sugden in 2010. “They’ve been through so much over the years and weathered so many scandals,” explains our source. “It’s made them stronger than ever.”
Both Tess and Claudia have said they never want their Strictly partnership to end, but should that time come, they have a plan. “Tess and I will leave at the same time,” Claudia revealed in 2019. “We’ve made that pact over pizza. We’ll go together, whenever they’re done with us.”
Explaining their decision, our source says, “They can’t imagine doing Strictly without each other. Tess loves the show and it has made her career. For both of them, it’s like going to work with your best mate, so, dramas aside, it’s a win-win for them.” Claudia’s career has gone from strength to strength and she’ll soon be hosting the celebrity version of her other hit BBC show, The Traitors.
Luckily, our source says, Claudia “isn’t looking to give up” Strictly any time soon. She has said, “Tess looks after me and helps me. She is warm, funny, so beautiful and strong.” For Tess, the feeling is mutual. “I’m lucky to work with someone I genuinely care for,” she said. “I love her to bits. It’s lovely spending time together, because she is my mate.” It’s clear this golden partnership is here to stay.
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