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Strictly Come Dancing host Tess Daly has revealed she can sometimes tell who will win each series “from the launch show”.
Tess, 55, has presented the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing since its inception in 2004 and was initially partnered by Bruce Forsyth.
Claudia Winkleman joined the duo in 2011 and Bruce left the show after its 2013 season before passing away four years later at the age of 89.
Two decades at the helm of one of British television’s biggest shows have given Tess some special skills – not least of which is the ability to spot a winner.
She said The sun:The Class of ’24 seems like a truly exciting bunch. As a collective, I really can’t wait to see what they have in store for us.
Original Strictly Come Dancing presenter Tess Daly, 55, has revealed she can sometimes tell who will win each series “from the launch show”.
Tess (right) has presented Strictly Come Dancing since its inception in 2004 and Claudia Winkleman (pictured) joined the main show in 2011.
Two decades at the helm of one of British television’s biggest shows have given Tess some special skills – including the ability to spot a winner.
‘Sometimes I feel like I can maybe identify the winner already at the launch show, as it’s obvious that they have the complete package. However, more often than not, I’m surprised along with everyone else.
Tess concluded: “I think it takes something special and not just talent to capture the imagination of viewers and win the series. Not only do you have to have learned the dance skills necessary to showcase your talent, but you also have to have won our hearts.”
But, Claudia shared that she never has any idea who will win and enjoys savoring the “magic moment” when Tess calls out the names of the winning couple.
The Traitors host also shared that she still gets nervous when she hears the theme song and prepares to enter the studio, despite her 13 years on the show.
Strictly returns for its 22nd series on 21 September, having already been scheduled to conclude on 14 December.
There are 15 celebrities taking part in this series, including 2023 Christmas special winner Jamie Borthwick, who has said he will be balancing EastEnders and training.
Other contestants include Toyah Willcox, JLS’s JB Gill, Love Island’s Tasha Ghouri, Zara McDermott’s best friend Pete Wicks and GoCompare’s Wynne Evans.
Although their celebrity partners won’t be revealed at launch, some viewers think they have a good idea of what one of them will look like.
Tess shared: ‘Sometimes I feel like I can maybe spot the winner already at the launch show, as it’s obvious they have the full package.’
Despite a year of scandals, Strictly managed to pick up an award at Wednesday’s National Television Awards.
The Strictly team took home the Talent Show award and as Tess and Claudia went up to collect it, their colleagues looked on in shock.
What caused tension was the fact that the award was presented by former Made In Chelsea star Sam Thompson.
Sam is the boyfriend of Zara McDermott and best friend of this year’s contestant Pete, who was infamously revealed to have been abused by fellow Strictly contestant Graziano Di Prima in 2023.