Claudia Winkleman unrecognisable without trademark eyeliner as she quits Strictly

Claudia Winkleman has been spotted without her trademark eyeliner after quitting Strictly Come Dancing. She and co-star Tess Daly announced in a joint statement today (October 23) that she will step down from presenting the show after this year's Christmas special - finishing out the rest of the regular 2025 series.

Now in a sweet post from contestant Chris Robshaw, Claudia posted for a cosy backstage snap in a black puffy coat and with her hair swept up into a ponytail, with only her famous fringe hanging free. She also went without make-up for the snap, ditching the trademark eyeliner she's rarely seen without.

As she cuddled up to Chris, he posted on Instagram: "Two of the kindest and most genuine icons in the industry. You'll be missed by all, but will always be Strictly legends, you both made me feel extremely welcomed and relaxed."

Claudia has previously blamed her bad eyesight for her signature look, being born with severe myopia. She told Good Housekeeping: "I couldn't agree more! Even I know my fringe is bad. But basically I've got such bad eyesight, I can't see it anyway, so it's not a problem.

"People tell me I'm squinting, but because my sight's so bad, it's made no difference whether my fringe is down to my nose. My fantasy is to have it so long I have to part it to answer a question!"

Today, she and Tess issued a statement about quitting Strictly, saying: "We have loved working as a duo and hosting Strictly has been an absolute dream. 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.

"We will cry when we say the last 'keep dancing' but we will continue to say it to each other. Just possibly in tracksuit bottoms at home while holding some pizza."