A Strictly Come Dancing insider has slammed a ‘spurious’ rumour that Claudia Winkleman is ‘killing off’ the show.
Last year, the 54-year-old sensationally announced she and her co-host Tess Daly, 57, would be leaving the BBC programme after decades on the show.
Since then, Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe have been all but confirmed as the new Strictly hosts (although the BBC is yet to make an official announcement).
Now, however, a source has claimed that Strictly is pointing the finger at Claudia for their latest ‘nightmare’.
Speaking to The Sun, a TV insider said: ‘It is the greatest of ironies that while Claudia is Strictly’s biggest champion, even after her departure, she is actually killing off the show.
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‘Strictly bosses are struggling more than ever to book top talent since the success of the Celeb Traitors.
‘The bigger stars would rather spend a week in a castle with Claudia and its high viewing ratings, than a potential three months stint in the ballroom and a chance they could be caught up in one of Strictly’s many scandals.
‘It is all a bit of a nightmare and doesn’t bode well for the future of Strictly.’
However, responding to the claims, a Strictly insider told Metro: ‘This spurious claim is a load of old Glitterballs.’
This comes after Strictly was shockingly snubbed from any of Bafta’s categories at this year’s ceremony.
Jetting back from the Traitors castle, where she has been filming for season two of The Celebrity Traitors, Claudia recently attended the Baftas.
But she was without her former co-host Tess, who made headlines after announcing she and Vernon Kay are divorcing after nearly 23 years of marriage.
As the BBC are still yet to officially announce Tess and Claudia’s replacements for the new era of the flagship show, speculation is rife over who will take up the mantle next.
A new frontrunner to take over being touted by fans has been the one and only Mel Giedroyc.
Some stars, however, have already ruled themselves out, including former Radio 2 host Zoe Ball who opened up about processing the rejection on her podcast.
Meanwhile, It Takes Two presenter Fleur East shared she was left ‘bothered’ after being overlooked for the job by Strictly bosses.
Strictly Come Dancing will return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer later this year.
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