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Strictly Come Dancing host Tess Daly has revealed that she can sometimes tell who will win each series ‘as early as the launch show’.
Tess, 55, has presented BBC‘s Strictly Come Dancing since its 2004 inception and was initially joined by Bruce Forsyth.
Claudia Winkleman joined the duo in 2011, and Bruce left the show after its 2013 series before passing away four years later at the age of 89.
Two decades at the helm of one of British television’s biggest shows has given Tess some special skills – including sniffing out a winner.
She told The Sun: ‘The class of ’24 look like a properly exciting gang. As a collective I genuinely cannot wait to see what they’ve got in store for us.
Original Strictly Come Dancing host Tess Daly, 55, has revealed that she can sometimes tell who will win each series ‘as early as the launch show’
Tess (right) has presented Strictly Come Dancing since its 2004 inception and Claudia Winkleman (pictured) joined the main show in 2011
Two decades at the helm of one of British television’s biggest shows has given Tess some special skills – including sniffing out a winner
‘Sometimes I feel like perhaps I can spot the winner as early as the launch show as it’s clear to see they have the full package. However, more often than not, I’m surprised along with everybody else.
Tess finished: ‘I do think it takes a certain special something and not talent alone to capture the viewers imagination and go on to win the series. Not only have you got to have learned the necessary dance skills to showcase your talent, but you also need to have won our hearts.’
But, Claudia shared that she never has any idea who will win, and enjoys relishing in the ‘magic moment’ Tess calls out the names of the winning pair.
The Traitors host also shared that she still gets nervous when she hears the theme song and gets ready to enter the studio – despite her 13 years on the show.
Strictly returns for its twenty-second series on September 21, and is already scheduled to conclude on December 14.
There are 15 celebrities taking part this series, including the 2023 Christmas Special winner Jamie Borthwick, who has said he will balance EastEnders and training.
Others taking part include Toyah Willcox, JLS’s JB Gill, Love Island’s Tasha Ghouri, Zara McDermott’s best friend Pete Wicks, and GoCompare’s Wynne Evans.
Though their celebrity partners will not be revealed to the launch, some viewers believe they have a good idea what one pairing will be.
Tess shared: ‘Sometimes I feel like perhaps I can spot the winner as early as the launch show as it’s clear to see they have the full package’
Despite Strictly’s year of scandals, they managed to scoop up a gong at Wednesday’s National Television Awards.
The Strictly team took home the award for Talent Show and while Tess and Claudia went up to collect it, their colleagues looked on in shock.
Causing tension was the fact that giving out the award was former Made In Chelsea star Sam Thompson.
Sam is the boyfriend of Zara McDermott – and the best friend of Pete, who is taking part this year – who was infamously revealed to have been mistreated by her Strictly partner Graziano Di Prima in 2023.
STRICTLY LINE-UP 2024
Chris McCausland
Age: 46
Profession: Comedian
Chris says: ‘If anybody out there is thinking – How the hell is he going to do that? – then rest assured that I am thinking exactly the same thing.’
Dr. Punam Krishan
Age: Unknown
Profession: GP and broadcaster
Punam says: ‘I have watched Strictly every year and it feels extra special that it’s the 20th year, I can’t believe I will be the one getting Strictly-fied.’
Toyah Willcox
Age: 66
Profession: Singer, actor, presenter
Toyah says: ‘I’m super excited and love this show. To be a part of it, the spray tan the glitter. Its a landmark year for me I came a pensioner, Glasto and now I get spray tans.’
Pete Wicks
Age: 36
Profession: Reality star
Pete says: ‘Dancing live in front of the nation every Saturday? Absolutely terrifying.’
Shayne Ward
Age: 39
Profession: Actor and singer
Shayne says: ‘I’m no stranger to live TV, but dancing Latin and Ballroom in front of millions is a whole new level.’
Tom Dean
Age: 24
Profession: Olympic medal winning swimmer
Tom says: ‘Now I can officially talk about how excited I am to get stuck into something new, meet some brilliant people and get dancing’
Nick Knowles
Age: 61
Profession: TV presenter
Nick says: ‘I am going to really go for it I will throw myself at it 100 per cent!’
Montell Douglas
Age: 38
Profession: Former Team GB Olympian and current Gladiator
Montell says: ‘Hopefully a few of my Gladiator moves will come in handy with the Tango or Paso Doble!’
JB Gill
Age: 37
Profession: Singer
JB says: ‘A lot of the ballroom styles are very alien to me – I didn’t do those dances growing up. I am not a trained dancer.’
Wynne Evans
Age: 52
Profession: Opera singer, presenter
Wynne says: ‘The stuff I’m nervous about is the ones that involve jumping, I don’t really want to do the jive, I’m nervous about that.
Tasha Ghouri
Age: 25
Profession: Model and reality star
Tasha says: ‘I’ve been watching the show since I was little – it’s a firm Ghouri family favourite – so this is a total dream come true.’
Sarah Hadland
Age: 53
Profession: Actress
Sarah says: ‘I feel particularly excited to be part of such an iconic show in its 20th year.’
Jamie Borthwick
Age: 30
Profession: EastEnders star
Jamie says: ‘I had a ball doing the Christmas special, so when I was asked to join it was the easiest yes!’
Sam Quek
Age: 35
Profession: Former GB hockey player and presenter
Sam says: ‘I am so relieved it is out there now it has been hard to keep a secret! The rumours were spreading and I had to lie! I am used to dancing on a girls night out but I will give it my all’
Paul Merson
Age: 56
Profession: Former footballer
Paul says: ‘I won’t worry about it until it starts but when it does I will be nervous – I have only danced three times in my life!’