'Best to leave a party before you're fully ready to go'

THE decision by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman to leave Strictly Come Dancing is about going out on top on a show besieged by recent scandals, sources revealed.

- BY MARK JEFFERIES and NICOLA METHVEN

The pair put out a video confirming they would quit when the current run comes to an end, which means their final appearance together will be aired on Christmas Day.

Sources close to the pair suggested they had told senior show executives weeks ago.

But their video on social media stunned cast and crew, with judge Motsi Mabuse, 44, admitting: “Still in shock.”

ATV insider added privately the pair had been discussing leaving for a year.

A source said: “The feeling is Tess and Claudia wanted to go out at the top and while the show is still huge and shortly after they received MBEs.

“Announcing it mid-series gives them a bit of a swansong and doesn't take the spotlight away from the winner. Claudia is right at her career peak with The Traitors and other TV offers flooding in.

“Tess has been hosting for more than two decades and likes the idea of more weekends with her family and friends.

“The recent scandals around the show have also impacted the ratings a little bit and there might be more around the corner, so they weighed it up and feel it is the right time to quit.”

The pair announced they were leaving in a joint video statement, saying: “We have loved working as a duo, and hosting Strictly has been an absolute dream.