A Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer reveals she and her colleagues were "stunned" after it was announced Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman were departing the show.

Tess and Claudia will step down from the BBC programme at the end of the current series. Tess has fronted the reality show since it launched in 2004.

Claudia has been part of the show since 2010 whilst she has presented the main edition since the legendary Sir Bruce Forsythstepped down in 2014.

• Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman's eye-watering Strictly salaries they are giving up


• Strictly Come Dancing's struggles and scandals as Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman walk away

According to professional dancer Nadiya Bychkova, who was partnered with former rugby star Chris Robshaw before they were eliminated last weekend, said the pros were "all shocked" by the Strictly bombshell, reports Wales Online.

She told the Daily Mail's Richard Eden: "We all were shocked. There are always rumours swirling around Strictly, but this is big news.

"They've become such an iconic duo, and I have so much respect for both of them. I'll really miss their energy and kindness."

Referring to the area of the studio where contestants are interviewed, Nadiya adds: 'I've had so many laughs with Claudia up in the Clauditorium, too."

Tess, 56, and Claudia, 53, issued a joint statement on Thursday (October 23) as they announced they would be departing Strictly.

It was always presumed when one left the show, the other would follow suit.

The statement read: "We have loved working as a duo and hosting Strictly has been an absolute dream. We were always going to leave together and now feels like the right time.

"We will have the greatest rest of this amazing series and we just want to say an enormous thank you to the BBC and to every single person who works on the show. They're the most brilliant team and we'll miss them every day.

"We will cry when we say the last 'keep dancing' but we will continue to say it to each other. Just possibly in tracksuit bottoms at home while holding some pizza."

Messages of support poured in for the duo, including from past contestants Helen Skelton, Zoe Balland Ann Widdecombe, plus judge Motsi Mabuse.

It comes as Claudia disclosed that she and Tess devised a scheme to depart Strictly whilst they remained at their peak.

She revealed they formulated the strategy years previously.

The presenter dismissed the notion that viewers desired her to remain indefinitely, stating: "I don't think anybody would want that.

"I am sure people watching would go 'Can that small orange creature just shuffle off?' Tess and I will leave at the same time. We made that pact over pizza. I had pepperoni."

Since beginning on Strictly, Claudia's profile has soared further as host of popular programme The Traitors, which secured her a maiden BAFTA in 2023.

Watch Tess and Claudia in their inaugural programme following their revelation tonight (Saturday, October 26) at 6.25pm on BBC One.