James Jordan expects Strictly Come Dancing to 'survive' without Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman
James Jordan expects Strictly Come Dancing to plough on despite hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announcing that they will leave the show at the end of the current series.
James Jordan is confident that Strictly Come Dancing will "survive" the departure of hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
The presenting pair surprisingly announced on Thursday (23.10.25) that they are to leave the BBC's Saturday night programme at the end of the current series but James – who featured as a professional dancer on Strictly from 2006 to 2013 – believes that the show will carry on untroubled.
Speaking on behalf of Free Bets, the 47-year-old dancer told The Mirror: "Strictly will survive.
"It's bulletproof if you keep the live band, the big production and the warmth. That's what people love on a Saturday night."
James also hailed Tess and Claudia – who have presented the programme together since 2014 – as the "bricks and mortar of Strictly" and credits the pair for maintaining the Latin and Ballroom competition's enduring appeal.
He said: "They're the reason the show became what it is, Tess steady and elegant, Claudia funny and fearless. Whoever replaces them has big boots to fill."
The star thinks the BBC should "think outside the box" when it comes to deciding replacements for Tess and Claudia.
He said: "People like Bradley Walsh or Vernon Kay would be great – warm, funny, natural with people. Or surprise us completely. Just find two hosts who genuinely love being there."
James has even thrown his own name into the hat when it comes to taking Claudia's role.
The dancer said: "I'd love to be back on the show in some capacity. Judging would be amazing, but I'd also love the upstairs job. I know exactly how it feels to stand there with your heart going at 160bpm waiting for scores.
"If they asked, I'd do it in a heartbeat. I've been there, I get it. I know when to make a joke, when to shut up, and when to let the couples have their moment."
Meanwhile, Jordan's fellow former professional Vincent Simone previously suggested that he expects Strictly to remain on air for at least another decade.
The Italian dancer, who featured on the show from 2006 to 2012, exclusively told BANG Showbiz in July: "I think it will carry on for at least another 10 years. I mean, I don’t see why not.
"There is everything in that show and every year you have the variety because you get 16 new celebrities joining the show so it's going to be fresh. You can’t say, ‘Oh it’s always the same thing’, yes, they might do the same dances but every person is so individual, especially when they have character and personality."
