Claudia Winkleman has revealed how she really feels about working with Tess Daly on Strictly Come Dancing and the backstage tradition hidden from cameras as the BBC competition returns this weekend. In a candid interview, she praised Daly as the kindest and the greatest human anyone could wish to work with, and said she feels incredibly lucky to share the hosting duties with her colleague. She also disclosed two must-do rituals before live shows: she must eat crisps and she always gives Daly a squeeze before they go live, noting she gets very nervous.
Before the live shows, Winkleman and Daly have anchored the show for years, and the bond between them is often cited as the heartbeat of Strictly. Winkleman described the backstage moment as a tiny ritual that helps her manage nerves and maintain the on-screen chemistry audiences expect.
The pair say the anticipation around a new series is part of the draw. For Winkleman, the series feels like a snow globe of sparkle, where the launch signals Christmas and the start of a long run of celebrities learning a new skill and joining a group of professional dancers who repeatedly dazzle. She recalled particularly emotional moments, such as when Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell performed a waltz to You ll Never Walk Alone, describing the studio as tearful and the moment as magnificent as Blackpool always is.
When asked what makes a winner, Winkleman indicated she would not pretend to know the formula. She believes the key is a strong partnership with a professional dancer and the ability to throw oneself into the show, hinting that commitment and embracing the week-by-week demands are what resonate with viewers, not just the trophy. She and Daly both looked ahead to meeting the cast of 2025, which includes Alex Kingston, Dani Dyer, Vicky Pattison, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, and Ellie Goldstein, all preparing to take to the floor under the gaze of judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Shirley Ballas.
Daly, for her part, described the launch show as a personal highlight and said the first group dance is the moment she looks forward to most. She emphasized that the thrill comes from meeting new celebrities and from spotting early on who might go far in the competition. Daly laughed that she has learned to avoid mascara at script meetings because Winkleman’s humor can send her into tears of laughter, a reminder of the long-running rapport that has endured for 21 series.
She added that the 21st year is an opportunity to celebrate more than just the dance floor, with the public’s appetite to watch celebrities learn and grow continuing to fuel the show's appeal. The new lineup includes Balvinder Sopal, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Dani Dyer, and Ellie Goldstein, all preparing to take to the floor under the gaze of the judging panel. The show is set to air this Saturday at 6:40 p.m. on BBC One.
The producers say the excitement around Strictly Come Dancing remains undiminished as it heads into another year of glitter, music, and high-stakes dance, with Winkleman and Daly continuing to anchor one of British television’s most enduring partnerships.