Best friends and podcast co-hosts Sam Thompson and Pete Wicks have addressed the swirling rumours that they could take over as co-hosts of Strictly Come Dancing following the shock departure announcement from current presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.

The Hosts' Shock Departure

The decision by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman to step down as Strictly co-hosts came as a major surprise to the public and even some of the show's team.

• Announcement Date: The duo jointly announced their departure via Instagram on Thursday, October 23, 2025, just over a month before the final (ITV News, The Guardian).

• Reason for Leaving: In their joint statement, the pair—who made history as the first female presenting duo on primetime TV in 2014—said they "were always going to leave together" and that "now feels like the right time" after more than a decade together on the main show (ITV News). Tess Daly had been with the show since it began in 2004.

• Final Appearance: Their last appearance as hosts will be the Christmas Special on December 25, 2025 (ITV News).

Sam and Pete's Take on the Job

The pair, who host the popular Staying Relevant podcast, were immediately asked if they would replace the iconic duo.

• Pete Wicks' Reaction: The former TOWIE star and Strictly semi-finalist was less keen, joking, "I'm not ready to cut in a fringe," referencing Claudia Winkleman's trademark look. He added that he and Sam were "useless" and that their hosting would be "the most chaotic thing in the world," believing Strictly would not be asking them "any time soon" (OK! Magazine).

• Sam Thompson's Enthusiasm: Sam was, as usual, more optimistic, encouraging his friend by saying, "Pete has to be the new presenter. He has to do it!" Sam conceded he would be "very shocked if we got the phone call," but stated he would "give it a go if we were asked" (OK! Magazine).

Pete Wicks' Strictly Journey

Pete Wicks has his own experience in the Strictly ballroom, having been a contestant in the 2024 series.

• Series: He competed in the twenty-second series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2024 (Pete Wicks Wikipedia).

• Placement: Partnered with professional Jowita Przystał, they performed well enough to reach the semi-finals in Week 12 (Pete Wicks Wikipedia, Digital Spy).

• The Famous Kiss: Pete recently brought Jowita out at a live show at London's O2 arena to perform the dance they had planned for the final, which they missed out on. This performance ended with a "steamy kiss" that garnered headlines, though Pete insisted it was purely part of the choreography (OK! Magazine, Devon Live).

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The search for Tess and Claudia's replacements is expected to begin in 2026, with the BBC's Chief Content Officer stating that the show's "format is king" and that the key factor will be the chemistry between the new hosts (Bristol Live).