Strictly Come Dancing’s former It Takes Two host Rylan Clark couldn’t help but get cheeky when he addressed Claudia Winkleman leaving the iconic BBC show.

Earlier this week, Strictly fans were left stunned as original host Tess Daley and Claudia Winkleman, who has been her co-host since 2014, announced they were leaving after this series.

Their exits will mark a new era for Strictly with many concerned who will take over hosting duties but Rylan couldn’t help but make light of the situation.

The BBC Radio 2 host commented on Claudia’s exit Instagram post to joke: “Shoes as big as the fringe to fill”, referencing her iconic black haircut.

Rylan, who hosted the spin-off show It Takes Two for three years, isn’t the only celebrity who has addressed the major unexpected Strictly news.

Former professional dancer and It Takes Two host Janette Manrara couldn’t help but praise Claudia and Tess on the spin-off show.

“Tess has presented the show since its very first episode alongside the legendary Sir Bruce [Forsyth].

“Claudia originally presented our show before moving over to host the results show alongside Tess in 2010. They’ve both presented the main show and the results show together since 2014.

“Ladies, we are going to miss you both so much! But, luckily, we still have them for what promises to be the rest of a brilliant series and the Christmas special!”

Elsewhere, fellow former Strictly professional dancer Oti Mabuse, another favourite to replace Tess or Claudia, got emotional on Loose Women this week about the announcement.

As Oti appeared on the talk show, she admitted: “They had to redo my makeup because I actually started crying.”

She then spoke of an intimate phone call she had with her sister and Strictly judge Motsi Mabuse: “We had two minutes of both of us in silence, we were both in shock, it came out of nowhere.

“It breaks my heart because I absolutely love them. I wish them luck and I wish them the best.”

Strictly Come Dancing returns tonight, Saturday, October 25, which will be the first show since the presenters announced their exits.

As well as fans expecting them to address the news, the evening is going to see the celebrities take on Icons Week with West End star Rachel Zegler joining the judging panel.