Strictly's Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman replacements 'revealed' by BBC legend

Strictly Come Dancing fans were left stunned when Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announced they had quit the dance show in a shock statement shared on Thursday. The pair said they were "always going to leave together and now feels like the right time". The duo will step down at the end of the current series, with the Christmas special set to be their last show. On Friday, it was reported that Claudia - who also hosts Traitors and Celebrity Traitors - is in advanced talks to host her own chat show, external. The BBC has not commented.

Speculation has been rife on who will take Tess and Claudia's coveted spots on the Strictly dancefloor. And two surprising celebrities are leading the charge, according to former Strictly performer, Vincent Simone. The professional dancer, 46, who was a part of the show from 2006 to 2012, has shared who may replace the show hosts in a shock admission.

Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk on behalf of Paddy Power Games, he said, "It's hard to predict. I think the BBC should go for people who are already well-known and experienced - not newcomers.

Familiar faces that the audience already trusts, like Paddy McGuinness or even Noel Edmonds. If you bring in big names the public already loves, they'll go along with the change more easily."

He also shared his "shock" after learning Tess and Claudia would be leaving the dance competition.

Vincent remarked: "It was a real shock to the system to find out about Tess and Claudia! I heard the news while driving to a show.

"Someone in the van said, 'Tess and Claudia are leaving!' and I went, 'What?!' That's the shock of the year for me. Maybe if one of them had left it'd make sense, but both at once - that's huge."

Meanwhile, other celebrities who have been tipped to replace Tess and Claudia include Holly Willoughby, Janette Manrara and Maya Jama to name a few.