Her departure was announced last year.

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Claudia Winkleman has addressed the rumour that she left Strictly Come Dancing due to “too many” backstage scandals. Claudia and Tess Daly announced their surprise departure from the show last October, after presenting together for over 1o years.

Following the announcement, speculation about their reasoning has been rife as fans processed the shocking news. However, when asked if the decision came after “one scandal too many” on the BBC dance show, Claudia confirmed: “Absolutely not.”

“It is a genuinely beautiful show to be part of. Almost every single person who’s taken part is happy they did,” she told the Daily Mail. “So no, it wasn’t that.”

The beloved host also shared that she and Tess had decided to leave the show “about a year before” their official announcement.

“It is a genuinely beautiful show to be part of. Almost every single person who’s taken part is happy they did,” she told the Daily Mail. “So no, it wasn’t that.”

The beloved host also shared that she and Tess had decided to leave the show “about a year before” their official announcement.

While it may not have been the reason for Tess and Claudia’s exit, the various scandals have cast Strictly in a poor light over the last few years.

Most recently, an unidentified star from the show was arrested on suspicion of rape by Hertfordshire Police. A few months prior to the incident, a separate star was arrested following allegations of rape and intimate image abuse.

claudia winkleman standing in the castle grounds on the traitors

eanwhile, Claudia hasn’t hung up her presenting hat just yet, as her very own chat show will air later this month. The aptly titled Claudia Winkleman Show will debut on 13 March on BBC One, with star-studded guest list.

The first episode will see Claudia sitting down with Hollywood icon Jeff Goldblum, Ugly Betty star Vanessa Williams, British legend Jennifer Saunders and comedian Tom Allen.

“I can’t quite believe it and I’m incredibly grateful to the BBC for this amazing opportunity,” Claudia said when announcing the show. “I’m obviously going to be awful, that goes without saying, but I’m over the moon they’re letting me try.”

The Claudia Winkleman Show will begin on Friday 13 March at 10.40pm on BBC One and iPlayer.