Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly vow to stand by Strictly Come Dancing amid show crisis
CLAUDIA Winkleman and Tess Daly have vowed to stand by Strictly Come Dancing as producers battle to keep the show on the air.
BBC bosses are working around the clock to steady the ship after professional dancers Graziano Di Prima, 30, and Giovanni Pernice, 33, left the show amid claims of alleged misconduct.
Despite the growing backlash, insiders said neither Claudia, 52, or Tess, 55, plan on waltzing off anytime soon.
A source told The Sun: “Just like everyone else Tess and Claudia are shocked by the allegations which are coming to light.
“Naturally in light of the show being plunged into scandal those who work on the programme have speculated if either of them will want to jump ship.
“Contractually it would be an issue but there is always a way to get out of these things and it’s safe to say the reputation of the show has certainly changed amongst the public.
“Claudia in particular has turned into a brand in her own right after the huge success of The Traitors.
“However, privately both Tess and Claudia have vowed to stand by the show and co-present this year’s series in a few months
“To them Strictly is very much a family and they want to give the show and bosses their full support.”
Tess Daly has co-hosted the show since it launched in 2004.
She was initially paired with the late Bruce Forsyth until he left in 2013.
The following year Bruce was replaced with Claudia Winkleman, who has remained as Tess’ co-host ever since.