Before they went live to the nation, I watched Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman rehearse their Strictly Come Dancing statement. Here are the extras you missed.
Strictly Come Dancing’s Icon Week marked the first live show since the bombshell news the hosts were leaving after 11 years.
All eyes were on Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman as they stepped onto the dancefloor – would they mention their exit? Would they show any hint of what is sure to have been an emotionally charged week?
Sitting in the studio audience at Elstree and Borehamwood, I got the first glimpse as the duo faced the music just days after releasing an exit video that appeared to blindside fans of the show, the contestants and even the judges.
Claudia and Tess both donned chic silk shirts and high-waisted pants, and they both looked as gorgeous in a navy jumpsuit. Nothing on the dance show so far didn’t seem to be different from what it was in the previous week.
The hosts were all set for a brief period of time before broadcasting live on BBC One.
The pair are the dependable faces of a well-oiled Strictly machine now that they have been together since 2014 and have been doing it for an even longer time thanks to Tess, who hosted with Sir Bruce Forsyth for another seven years. They don’t need to go through rehearsal in front of the live audience, which includes the contestants’ friends and family members as well as those who have won the lucky ballot.
However, their parting statement was one thing they did want to make sure it was absolutely correct tonight. The only segment the couple encountered prior to the show was that.
Tess said, “Just before we get started, Claude and I announced this week that this will be our final Strictly Come Dancing series,” “.
As the audience realised how Tess and Claudia would handle the news, the bustling studio became completely silent.
Claudia continued, “We want to thank you for your beautiful messages. “This incredible show will continue for eight more weeks and have a Strictly champion to be the show’s crown.”
“We’re looking forward to spending the rest of the series with these four, the couples, and you,” the judge said. Claudia cried just before the brief rehearsal was over.
As Tess rubbed Claudia’s sleeve gently in a show of support, I took a breath and extended my hand.
Tess and her co-host exchanged a touching greeting when they first arrived in the studio.
“Oh no, the fake tan!” Within a second of seeing her, Tess cried as she worried about damaging Claudia’s brand-new white blouse.
“Don’t worry, it’s okay. As Tess began to giggle in earnest, Claudia remarked, “It’s going back in the morning.”
The women’s love for one another and the show are obvious after watching the pair interact with one another throughout the night both on and off camera. They appear to be genuine friends, and they also seem to be interested in each other’s lives.
This week’s news of their exit is even more shocking.
Before she revealed the results of the vote-off that will be broadcast on Sunday night, I witnessed a heartfelt Tess yell out to the couples agitated behind her.
An off camera Claudia also sent a “Good luck” message from her “Claudatorium” to the unlucky couples who were prepared to perform for one last time before the final dances.
After watching the duo in action tonight, it seems she may be correct in saying, “I’ve always believed it’s best to leave a party before you’re fully ready to go.”
Tess and Claudia’s genuine love for the BBC’s reality TV juggernaut appears to have spread to all areas, with many other heartfelt outbursts being captured on camera.
I watched as Amber Davies made a beeline for Dani Dyer, who was seated next to Stefan Dennis, a fellow Strictly “catchup,” after the live performance was over.
Dani’s place on the program was filled after Amber, a former Love Islander, had to break her ankle during training prior to the first live performance. Without any unflinching feelings, it is obvious that the pair have bonded over the experience.
Despite knowing she is a huge fan of the US pop star herself, you can’t help but think how it must have hurt that Dani had watched Amber dance so well to Ariana Grande with her partner Nikita on Icon’s week.
Balvinder Sopal, the actress with her ex-on-screen husband Navin Chowdhry waiting in the wings to give her a big hug after the cameras stopped rolling, also received a hug from a famous face in the crowd.
It’s been a disheartening few weeks on Strictly for Balvinder, who admitted to the Mirror she’d had a ‘meltdown’ after being in the bottom two twice.
An emotional Balvinder appeared relieved to have the support of her co-star, who rushed over to congratulate her after impressing Beyonce with her Quickstep.
Source: Mirror
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