Motsi Mabuse has spoken out for the first time regarding Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman’s departure from “Strictly Come Dancing.” She took to Instagram on Friday to post an emotional farewell message.

The 44-year-old judge confessed that she was caught off guard by their exit, as she only learned about it alongside the public on Thursday.

According to Daily Mail journalists Katie Hind and Alison Boshoff, the BBC had a secretive reason for keeping the news of Claudia and Tess’s departure under wraps.

Just like Motsi, who is a prominent figure on the judging panel, fans, staff, and celebrities connected to the show were unaware of the co-hosts’ decision to leave.

In her first comments on the surprising news, Motsi expressed: “It truly feels like a special era is ending. When I heard the news yesterday—completely shocked and unexpected, since I never seem to catch the rumors—I needed some time for it to settle in.”

She continued, “I wanted to carefully choose my words before saying this. ❤️ @claudiawinkle and @tessdaly have been an incredible presence on ‘Strictly’ for so many years, leading the show with warmth, humor, grace, and strength. ❤️❤️”

Motsi Mabuse, 44, has broken her silence on Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman’s Strictly exit as she took to Instagram to share an emotional farewell post on Friday

The judge admitted their departure was ‘unexpected’ after only finding out with the world on Thursday

Like Motsi, a staple figure on the judging panel, Strictly fans, staff and stars were all left in the dark about the co-stars’ ballroom exit

‘Two amazing women at the heart of one of the biggest shows on television that’s really rare and truly it’s powerful.

‘They’ve made us laugh, comforted nervous danncers & celebs , carried the show with heart and elegance, and brought so much light to Saturday nights. Your friendship, professionalism and energy will truly be missed. ❤️

‘For me personally, I’ve had the joy of working with you over the past seven years, and watching how you’ve guided Strictly through so many moments, especially during the Corona years showed me something truly special. 

‘The way you held the show, kept the joy alive, and gave people hope in such uncertain times was incredible.

‘You have also been a beautiful example of what it means for two women to stand side by side to support, uplift and shine together for so many years.

‘It’s hard to imagine Strictly without you but what you helped create will always live on. You helped shape it, grow it and make it the joyful, magical show we all love . Thank you for everything you’ve given to the show, to the dancers and to all of us.

‘Life is always moving. Nothing stays still forever. But what remains is the love, the joy and the legacy you leave behind.

‘And Strictly Strictly will always shine. It’s more than a show. It’s a celebration of life, joy, movement and togetherness. To be part of something that brings so much light to so many people❤️ that’s the true gift.

Since announcing their exits, which was prompted by alleged leaks within the BBC, speculation has already started regarding who will replace them with Rylan Clark, Stacey Dooley, Fleur East and Janette Manrara the early favourites

‘Now, let’s make these next shows extra special. Let’s enjoy every single moment we still get to share with and and celebrate them, Strictly-style! ❤️ [sic]’

Tess, 56, has featured in every one of the BBC1 juggernaut’s 21 series, stepping up as main host in 2014 to replace Bruce Forsyth, while Claudia, 53, joined the main show the same year having hosted BBC2 spin-off It Takes Two since 2004. 

In recent years, Tess has made several hints about passing on the baton in regards to being main host, while Claudia revealed she encountered awkward conversations with Strictly bosses about the show’s clashes with family life, namely taking her son to university to kickstart his first year away from home. 

A show insider told the Daily Mail: ‘Claudia has been around the block for a long time but since The Traitors, she’s moved up a level and is more in-demand than ever.

‘There’s been talk of some very interesting projects which she simply can’t commit to because of Strictly, as it takes up a third of the year, so she felt that to maximise her ambition, she had to leave Strictly.

‘Leaving the show has been on Tess’s mind for a few years but Claudia leaning towards leaving made it an easier decision.’

The insider added: ‘They always had a pact to leave together and they wanted to adhere to that. They come as a pair, when it comes to Strictly, so going out together made perfect sense.’

Since announcing their exits, which was prompted by alleged leaks within the BBC, speculation has already started regarding who will replace them with Rylan Clark, Stacey Dooley, Fleur East and Janette Manrara the early favourites.

The duo penned under their video announcement: ‘We have loved working as a duo and hosting Strictly has been an absolute dream’

The show remains the jewel in the crown at the BBC and whoever lands the gig will automatically land greater exposure and a significant pay-packet for fronting such a popular show.

But as Tess and Claudia would privately admit, fronting such a big series also brings huge responsibility, as well as dedication for a large chunk of the year.

Tess and Claudia announced their departure by posting a video, sitting side-by-side, on Thursday morning.

Speaking to the camera, Claudia began: ‘There have been some rumblings and we want you to hear this from us.’

Tess chimed in: ‘We have news, after 21 wonderfully joyful years on Strictly, we have decided that the time is right to step aside and pass over the baton.’

‘The very sparkly baton!’ Claudia laughed, before turning to her co-star and pal to add: ‘You’ve been here since the beginning.’

Tess replied, pointing to Claudia: ‘With Bruce, lovely Bruce [Forsyth], and that was over two decades ago but a lot of the time has been with you.

‘It’s been a huge part of our lives since our children were literally babes in arms, and now they’re adults, and I think genuinely we have cherished every second.’

The show remains the jewel in the crown at the BBC and whoever lands the gig, will automatically land greater exposure and a significant pay-packet for fronting such a popular show

Claudia continued: ‘We have, we’re so lucky to have been part of this amazing show and we just want to thank the Strictly team, because Strictly is the people who make it.’

The duo penned under the video: ‘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.’