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'
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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
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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
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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'
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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.