The sparkling co-hosts of Strictly as it rolls back, and as a source reports, the storms they’ve endured have only strengthened their bond.
It’s been rocked by one scandal after another, but one thing that has remained steady on Strictly Come Dancing is the unbreakable bond between hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. This year, as the BBC One dance show celebrates its 21st anniversary, the duo will be marking their 11th year as co-hosts. And their on-screen chemistry is as strong as ever. “Tess has such a strong bond with Claudia,” a source exclusively tells OK!.
They have great chemistry on the television and are great friends, both of whom are very career-driven. And they always have each other’s back. The fact that they are close friends off-screen helps the pair’s relationship on camera. Tess has frequently referred to Claudia as her “sister” and has frequently mentioned how much she enjoys hosting with her. She and her husband, Kris Thykier, have two children: Jake, 22, Matilda, 19, and Arthur, 14, along with her husband, Kris.
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The mother-of-two said, “It always felt natural and right.” It’s a joy to stand next to someone because it feels like work when you really get on with them. It resembles a continuation of your friendship.
Tess, 56, and Claudia’s partnership blossomed after original co-host, the late Sir Bruce Forsyth, stepped down following the 2013 series. But the pair first met when Claudia, 53, started hosting spin-off show It Takes Two in 2004. “Tess had just had her little girl, Phoebe, and we started talking about our kids straight away,” she said.
After Sir Bruce left, Claudia was promoted to Saturday night co-host, but by then, she was already a regular on Sunday night’s results show. Before we began the main show together, we already had the experience of standing side by side on the Strictly floor, said Tess. “That seemed like a natural progression for us,” he said. It is cozy. Because you genuinely like the person, you can already feel the person’s vibe. That is always helpful.
Strictly has gained notoriety for its off-screen dramas but also for what takes place on stage, most notably the so-called “Strictly curse,” in which contestants frequently fall for their dance partners at the expense of their own relationships. Along the way, Tess and Claudia encountered some unique difficulties.
In October 2014, Claudia was forced to step back from hosting when her daughter Matilda was involved in a freak accident after her Halloween costume caught fire. Matilda, who was eight at the time, was treated for severe burns and Claudia – who described the experience as “life-changing” – understandably took time off.
Temporary co-host Zoe Ball joined Tess during her absence, where she shared daughters Phoebe, 20, and Amber, 16, with her husband, BBC Radio 2 DJ Vernon Kay, until Claudia was able to return to work three weeks later. Tess described her friend’s ordeal as “a hellish time.” Your child being involved in an accident is “every parent’s nightmare.”
In turn, Claudia is said to have been a rock for Tess when Vernon, 51, became embroiled in a sexting scandal with glamour model Rhian Sugden in 2010. “They’ve been through so much over the years and weathered so many scandals,” explains our source. “It’s made them stronger than ever.”
Tess and Claudia have both stated that they do not want their Strictly partnership to end, but that they have a plan in place in case of emergency. In 2019, Claudia revealed that “Tess and I will leave at the same time.” We made a pizza-related pact. When they finish their time with us, we’ll go together.
Explaining their decision, our source says, “They can’t imagine doing Strictly without each other. Tess loves the show and it has made her career. For both of them, it’s like going to work with your best mate, so, dramas aside, it’s a win-win for them.” Claudia’s career has gone from strength to strength and she’ll soon be hosting the celebrity version of her other hit BBC show, The Traitors.
Thankfully, our source claims that Claudia “isn’t looking to give up” Strictly any time soon. She has said, “Tess helps and looks after me.” She is strong, funny, and beautiful. The emotion is mutual for Tess. She said, “I’m lucky to work with someone who truly cares.” “I adore her to pieces. She is my mate, so it’s lovely to spend time with her. This legendary partnership is unquestionably in place.
Source: Mirror
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