All the clues Tess Daly was quitting Strictly - family news to cryptic hint

Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have sensationally quit Strictly Come Dancing after more than 20 years on the BBC show - but their departure could have been brewing for a while as Tess showed some early signs of making the major decision.

The hosts shared a joint statement on Thursday (October 23) that read: "We have loved working as a duo and hosting Strictly has been an absolute dream. We were always going to leave together and now feels like the right time. We will have the greatest rest of this amazing series and we just want to say an enormous thank you to the BBC and to every single person who works on the show. They're the most brilliant team and we'll miss them every day. We will cry when we say the last 'keep dancing' but we will continue to say it to each other. Just possibly in tracksuit bottoms at home while holding some pizza." While the exit will come as a shock to many, we take a look at some tell-tale signs that suggest that Tess had already had enough.

Focusing on family

Tess got candid about her family life with husband Vernon Kay, just weeks before announcing she and Claudia Winkleman had decided to quit the BBC show. Reflecting on becoming a mother for the first time, the 51-year-old discussed how sleep deprivation took its toll on both of them.

The presenters share two daughters, Phoebe, 21 and Amber, 15. Tess is passionate about ensuring her girls experience a "normal" upbringing, adding that she and Vernon, 51, "wouldn't dream" of "giving them the silver spoon."

She told Hello magazine: "I think that's how you ruin your children's ambitions and drive." But constantly being in the limelight may make it harder for her to do that.

Side projects away from BBC

While Tess is mostly famed for her work on Strictly, this summer she has shared a number of other projects that she has been working on. She has been working hard promoting her own brand, Naia Beach, which she describes as "luxury beachwear designed in London".

In the summer, she "reintroduced" the brand on her own Instagram account - suggesting that she was now putting more of her focus there. Tess wrote: "Naia was founded by myself and my best friend @gayle_x_ because, quite simply, we couldn't find the swimwear that we wanted to wear.

"So, back in March 2021 - in the middle of a travel-ban pandemic (not our most practical idea) - we launched our first collection after over a year in development which went on to sell out. Over 4 years later, we're still here - and we're honestly blown away by what this journey has become."

Her pact with Claudia Winkleman

It was previously reported that the BBC show presenters have both always been in agreement that if one goes, they both go in an alleged "pact". Last year, a source told Closer magazine: "Claudia and Tess are in it together. But both of them have said this could be their last year, and if one goes the other will follow. They've made a pact on that."

Bothered by backlash

After more than 20 years on Strictly, Tess should be no stranger to criticism. However in recent years, there have been reports that suggest Tess is finding it hard to not take things "personally" and has allegedly left her feeling quite "rattled".

A source told Closer Magazine: "She has seen the comments and she is more affected than people might realise. She always tried to rise above it. But when you are trending for the wrong reasons week after week, it's hard to not take it personally."

They added: "Tess has been putting on a brave face. But she has confided in friends that the negativity is wearing her down."