The Bafta winner’s former co-presenter Tess also gave the new team her seal of approval, hailing the new hosts as a “dream team” and an “ultimate trio” she “can’t wait to tune in” and watch live.

Announcing her Strictly exit last year, Claudia said: “I’ve always believed it’s best to leave a party before you’re fully ready to go and I know the new hosts will be magnificent, I look forward to watching them take Strictly to new heights.”

She added: “As for Tess – I’m so so lucky I got to stand next to you. You’re funny, kind, whip smart and a true friend and I love you.”

In a separate joint statement, she and Tess explained: “We were always going to leave together and now feels like the right time.

“We will have the greatest rest of this amazing series and we just want to say an enormous thank you to the BBC and to every single person who works on the show. They’re the most brilliant team and we’ll miss them every day.”

Since then, Claudia has downplayed the suggestion that recent scandals surrounding Strictly were what motivated herself and Tess to quit the show.