BBC Strictly Come Dancing viewers distracted by Tess Daly's daring outfit choice

Strictly Come Dancing viewers appeared to be sidetracked during the debut episode of the latest series as they couldn't keep their eyes off hosts Claudia Winklemanand Tess Daly.

The presenting duo have returned to screens tonight for the first episode of the nail-biting new series with a whole host of new celebrity contestants including Love Island's Dani Dyer and former Geordie Shore star Vicky Pattison.

Before the exciting night of dance kicked off, Tess' jaw-dropping outfit in particular appeared to be the talk of the town. Heading over to social media site X, fans had plenty to say as one viewer said: "I love Tess' dress but that colour is way too vibrant for TV."

Another echoed: "Claudia in her usual black but Tess looks incredible in that dress." Someone else added: "Tess neverrrrrr gets it wrong. Her dress is incredible if not a bit too bright."

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While the latest series of Strictly Come Dancing was already rocked by several scandals before it even began, one thing that has remained steady on the BBC show is the unbreakable bond between hosts Tessand Claudia.

This year, as the BBC One dance show celebrates its 21st anniversary, the duo will be marking their 11th year as co-hosts. And their on-screen chemistry is as strong as ever. “Tess has such a strong bond with Claudia,” a source exclusively told OK!.

“They’re great friends and both very career-driven, but they also have great chemistry on the telly. And they’ve got each other’s back – always."

The duo’s rapport on camera is helped by the fact that they’re close pals off-screen. Tess has described Claudia – who shares children Jake, 22, Matilda, 19, and Arthur, 14, with her film producer husband, Kris Thykier – as her “sister” and has often spoken about how much she enjoys hosting with her.

“It always felt natural and right,” the mum-of-two has said. “When you genuinely get on with someone, it is a joy to stand next to them because it doesn’t feel like work. It feels like an extension of your friendship.”

Tess and Claudia’s partnership blossomed after original co-host, the late Sir Bruce Forsyth, stepped down following the 2013 series. But the pair first met when Claudia, 53, started hosting spin-off show It Takes Two in 2004. “Tess had just had her little girl, Phoebe, and we started talking about our kids straight away,” she said.

Claudia’s promotion to Saturday night co-host came after Sir Bruce left, but by then she was already a regular fixture on Sunday night’s results show.

“We filmed the Sunday results show before we started doing the main show together, so we already had that experience of standing side by side on the Strictly floor,” said Tess. “It felt like a natural progression for us to do that. It’s comfortable. You don’t have to fake any camaraderie – it’s already there because you genuinely like the person. That always helps.”

Both Tess and Claudia have said they never want their Strictly partnership to end, but should that time come, they have a plan. “Tess and I will leave at the same time,” Claudia revealed in 2019. “We’ve made that pact over pizza. We’ll go together, whenever they’re done with us.”

Explaining their decision, our source says, “They can’t imagine doing Strictly without each other. Tess loves the show and it has made her career. For both of them, it’s like going to work with your best mate, so, dramas aside, it’s a win-win for them.” Claudia’s career has gone from strength to strength and she’ll soon be hosting the celebrity version of her other hit BBC show, The Traitors.

Luckily, our source says, Claudia “isn’t looking to give up” Strictly any time soon. She has said, “Tess looks after me and helps me. She is warm, funny, so beautiful and strong.” For Tess, the feeling is mutual. “I’m lucky to work with someone I genuinely care for,” she said. “I love her to bits. It’s lovely spending time together, because she is my mate.” It’s clear this golden partnership is here to stay.

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