Claudia Winkleman has revealed why she left Strictly after the emotional series 23 finale.

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Claudia Winkleman left Strictly after the series 23 finale (Image: BBC)
Claudia Winkleman has finally revealed the real reason behind her Strictly Come Dancing exit last year. Back in October, the presenter and her co-host, Tess Daly, shocked fans with a statement announcing their joint departure. At the time, they assured viewers they would stay until the finale, but didn’t explain why they quit. Despite being part of the star-studded BBC series since 2004, it was speculated that the show’s controversies had motivated her decision.

When Claudia shared her exit, Strictly had been embroiled in backlash from viewers after former pro Giovanni Pernice’s bullying probe, Wynne Evans’ numerous scandals and Graziano Di Prima’s axing after he assaulted dance partner Zara McDermott. Despite this, the 54-year-old confirmed this wasn’t the reason she and Tess quit. The host insisted: “Absolutely not, it is a genuinely beautiful show to be part of.”

Claudia and Tess were overcome with emotions during the finale (Image: BBC)

During an interview with the Mail’s Weekend Magazine, Claudia stated: “Almost every single person who’s taken part is happy they did. so, no, it wasn’t that. The show deserves new. We wanted to leave when we were on an absolute high.”

The Traitors star also verified the reports that she had decided to leave Strictly one year before her exit.

Claudia reflected on the night she and Tess made their final Strictly recording, speaking on how emotional it was: “My husband and children were there. So were Tess’s.

“We did our last piece to camera, then I went to my husband and sobbed. Really, really cried.”

Claudia revealed she cried into her husband, Kris Thykier’s arms after filming their final episode (Image: Getty)

“It was 20 years of my life, I know it was the right time. I will always be friendly with the team. We are going out for dinner in a couple of weeks. It was emotional.”

When Strictly first aired in 2004, Claudia hosted the spin-off show, It Takes Two, before joining Tess on the main show in 2014, following Bruce Forsyth’s exit.

While her two-decade tenure on the BBC contest has ended, Claudia fronts another popular competition series, The Traitors, which premiered in 2022 and became an instant hit.

The mum-of-three also recently announced a self-titled talk show, which she will welcome the biggest names from film, television and music to her sofa for lively conversation with the help of a studio audience.

As for her new venture, Claudia stated: “I can’t quite believe it, and I’m incredibly grateful to the BBC for this amazing opportunity.

“I’m obviously going to be awful, that goes without saying, but I’m over the moon they’re letting me try.”