Strictly’s Claudia Winkleman speaks out as stars quit ahead of new series
STRICTLY Come Dancing host Claudia Winkleman has spoken about the departure of two of its stars.
The BBC show returns this autumn without two pros who have stepped down from dancing duties in the break.
Strictly pros Oti Mabuse and Aljaž Škorjanec, both 32, will not be returning.
Speaking on a recent appearance on The One Show, Claudia, 50, addressed their absence saying: “I know, we’re going to miss them so much.”
However the TV presenter insisted she was the last to know anything that happens behind the scenes on Strictly.
She told the hosts: “Not only am I not allowed to say anything, they don’t tell me anything!
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“They literally don’t tell me. They tell me after they’ve told Tess and the press because I’m leaky.”
Oti announced in February that she would be quitting Strictly after seven years.
Posting on Instagram she called it the “most amazing TV show” saying: “It has been an incredible time.”
She wrote: “Lifting the glitterball twice and having the best journey with all my celebrities, but also meeting and working with the best team, crew, producers, celebs and incredible professional dancers!
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“You are my family and I adore you all forever.”
Aljaz quit after nine years the following month, saying the moment he was called to appear on the show in 2013 “changed my life forever”.
He wrote: “”A dream became a reality and it was the biggest opportunity for a 23-year-old boy from Slovenia.
“It didn’t matter how many beautiful ballrooms I performed in during my competitive career, stepping onto the sacred Strictly floor was the most nervous I had ever been.”
Aljaz revealed that he had made the decision to quit the show before the 2021 series, insisting that he was “forever grateful”.
He added: “Being a part of a group of professionals that inspire and push you to be better every step of the way is humbling and I will carry that inspiration with me forever.”
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