Tess Daly’s VERY telling comment gave Strictly Come Dancing exit away weeks ago and was hidden in plain sight

Tess Daly made a telling comment that gave away her Strictly Come Dancing debut weeks ago – and it was clearly kept under wraps.

On Thursday morning, it was revealed that Tess, 56, and Claudia Winkleman, 54, have quit the popular BBC soap after hosting together for 11 years.

While this may come as a shock to many, Tess recently hinted that she might be free to do other things besides being a mother and strictly presenting on the weekends.

Speaking on the Happy Mum Happy Baby podcast earlier this month, Tess told Giovanna Fletcher, 40: ‘I’m not one to go to the spa for a day. I’m thinking, what do my children need to do to me today? Do you know what I mean?

‘So I always make up for it.

‘If I worked for a day or two, I think I should have done more for them this time because I wasn’t here.

On Thursday morning, it was revealed that Tess, 56, and Claudia Winkleman, 54, have quit the popular BBC soap after hosting together for 11 years.

While this may be shocking to many, Tess recently hinted that she might be free to do other things besides being a mom and strictly presenting on the weekends (pictured with husband Vernon and Phoebe Elizabeth Kay)

‘So I always try to make up for it. So if I remove them from that picture.

‘Yes, I don’t know. I mean, it can be quite nice. It could be really cool.

‘I can go to Ibiza for the weekend with my girlfriends. How about this? ‘I might be back dancing on catwalks.’

Tess and Claudia, who have presented the BBC One dance competition together since 2014, broke the news to fans on Instagram on Thursday.

Claudia, who also hosts BBC’s The Traitors and its spin-off series Celebrity Traitors, and Tess, who first joined the series in 2004, were sitting side by side in the clip confirming their departure.

Speaking to the camera, Claudia began: ‘There was some noise and we want you to hear it from us.’

Tess chimed in: ‘We’ve got news, after 21 wonderful and joyful years Absolutely, we’ve decided it’s time to step aside and pass the baton.’

‘Very sparkly baton!’ Claudia laughed and turned to her co-star and friend, adding: ‘You’ve been here from the beginning.’

Tess said: ‘Our children have been a huge part of our lives since they were literally babies in arms, now they’re adults, and I think we’ve really cherished every second.’

Tess replied, pointing at Claudia: ‘With Bruce, lovely Bruce [Forsyth]and that was over twenty years ago but most of that time was spent with you.

‘Our kids have been a huge part of our lives since they were literally babies in our arms, now they’re adults, and I think we’ve really cherished every second.’

Claudia continued: ‘We’re so lucky to be a part of this amazing show and we’d like to thank the Strictly team because Strictly are the people who make it.’

The duo wrote under the video: ‘We loved working as a duo and it was an absolute dream to host.

‘We were always going to leave together and now feels like the right time. We’re looking forward to watching the rest of this amazing series and we’d like to say a huge thank you to the BBC and everyone who worked on the programme.

‘They are the brightest team and we will miss them every day. We’ll cry at the last “keep dancing” but we’ll keep saying it to each other.

‘Probably at home in his tracksuit bottoms, holding a pizza.’

In her own statement, Tess added: ‘After 21 unforgettable years it’s time to say goodbye to Strictly Come Dancing.

Claudia and Tess took to Instagram to break the news in a heartfelt video

The presenter couple wrote an emotional message to their fans under the clip.

Tess co-presented the BBC One show with Bruce Forsyth before Claudia joined her as permanent co-host in 2014.

‘It’s hard to put into words what this show means to me, so here we go…

‘It was definitely much more than a television programme; It felt like I had a third child, a second family, and it has been a huge part of my life since the first show in 2004.

‘I knew then it was something special but I could never have imagined the magic it would bring.

‘It’s always been about joy, celebration and bringing people together and I’m so proud to have played a small part in something that continues to mean so much to so many people.

‘I have always been in awe of our amazingly talented professional dancers, our amazing judges and all the celebrities who attended.

‘I absolutely adore our amazing team, every member of the Strictly team who works tirelessly to make this show what it is.

‘Thank you for all the years of laughter, friendship and countless memories. You filled my heart in ways I will never forget. I will miss you all very much.

‘And the biggest thank you to you viewers at home, thank you for hosting us in your homes for over twenty years.

In the clip confirming their split, Claudia and Tess were seen sitting next to each other as they thanked the show’s staff and viewers as if they were at home.

The pair told fans of the BBC One soap that they “will always leave together and now is the right time to pass the baton”

‘To my dear Claud, what a joy and pleasure it is to share this adventure with you. You are one of a kind and I will cherish every giggle, every live show and backstage moment we shared.

‘This isn’t goodbye to sparkles, sequins or Saturday night glam (I can never say goodbye to those!). It will definitely hold a special place in my heart forever, but it feels like the right time to hand over the reins.’

Claudia went on to post a series of behind-the-scenes photos of herself and Tess working together on the show, as she paid tribute to her time on the show.

He wrote: ‘It’s so hard to put into words exactly what Strictly means to me. It was the biggest relationship of my career.

‘Everything from working on It Takes Two in 2004 to now is the show I will be forever grateful for.

‘I’ll never forget Len Goodman trying to teach me what a cucaracha was (I still don’t know) and the great excitement and honor of working with Tess on the results show to co-host Saturday nights.

‘It’s an absolutely magical, sparkling, fake-tanned train and it was a privilege to be a small part of it.

‘The extraordinary talents of the dancers, the band, the hair, make-up and costume teams, the incredible production team and the creatives; They are all simply magnificent.

Claudia shared a series of behind-the-scenes photos of herself and co-star Tess as she wrote an emotional message about saying goodbye to the series

Claudia heaped praise on pal Tess, saying she was “so lucky” to have “stood by her side” as they co-hosted the show for more than a decade

‘I’ve always believed it’s best to leave the party before you’re fully ready and I know the new hosts will be amazing, I’m looking forward to watching them take it to new heights for sure.

As for Tess, I’m so lucky to be able to stand next to you. ‘You’re funny, kind, very smart and a true friend and I love you.’

Earlier this year it was claimed BBC bosses were scrambling to retain Claudia after fears emerged she would leave the soap.

Sources told closer magazine says bosses have been left ‘concerned’ about the future of the programme, adding: ‘Bosses are worried that the absence of famous names will negatively impact ratings and are counting on Claudia to steady the ship behind the scenes.

‘He is the face that the people trust. It’s hugely popular and they know it’s the safest hand they have.

‘But the truth is he’s under a lot of pressure and fears are growing that all of this could lead to him quitting the show.’

The source added that Claudia “loved” working on Strictly but felt “nervous” and was “wondering if something had to give” in her career.

Claudia and Tess will continue to host the current series of Strictly Come Dancing, which returns for its fifth week titled ‘Icons Week’ on Saturday night.

Tess and Claudia first began hosting the series together in 2014, after Tess’ former co-host Bruce Forsyth left the series.

Claudia and Tess will continue to host the current series of Strictly Come Dancing, which returns for its fifth week titled ‘Icons Week’ on Saturday night.

It comes after fans of the BBC One soap called for Chris Robshaw to return after Stefan Dennis was forced to withdraw from the series due to injury.

The former England rugby captain, 39, had been booted from the show less than 24 hours earlier when he found himself dancing with EastEnders actor Balvinder Sopal.

After the tense dance, judges Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke voted to save the muscular jock as Ricky Martin performed a salsa on María, but Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel favored Horwood Sopal.

As Revel-Horwood was the head judge on Sunday, her vote was the deciding factor and Robshaw bid an emotional farewell to professional partner Nadiya Bychkova.

But after Stefan Dennis’ calf injury ruled him out of the competition, the rugby star’s fans were hoping BBC bosses would bring him back into the competition.

Now bosses have made up their minds about the future of the BBC dance competition and Robshaw’s future on the show.

A BBC source told the Daily Mail: ‘The judges have had the final say on Chris’ future in the competition and we won’t try to overturn that. That’s why he won’t be returning to compete on Strictly Come Dancing.’

‘Following Stefan Dennis’ sad departure from Strictly, we will be running the competition as usual. But instead of the usual four-man final, there will only be three finalists.’

Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday at 6.25pm, followed by results broadcast on BBC One and iPlayer at 7.15pm on Sunday.