Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman's true feelings on Strictly exit revealed in TV return

Just three days after they confirmed they were leaving Strictly Come Dancing at the end of the year, Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman returned to screens on Saturday October 25 to host the BBC's Saturday night flagship show. Having dominated the headlines since their announcement, it only merited a brief mention at the top of the show. However their body language spoke volumes and expert Inbaal Honigman exclusively analysed it for Express.co.uk. "The very first shot of the ladies is absolutely typical. Claudia fiddling with her fingers, which is an anxious move but typical for the presenter, and a large, toothy grin which is a little bigger than usual, suggesting that it isn't altogether sincere. Tess's first move is a big clap, which says 'let's get this done!'. Her smile is also more megawatt than usual," she observed.

"But their nerves soon began to show. Claudia's smile dropped, and although she stretched her lips into a smile-like consistency, it didn't reach her cheeks or eyes. And Tess herself starts to fiddle with her own fingers. Tess appears to be taking in deep breaths, as she tries to regulate her nerves."

Speaking on behalf of Oddspedia, who currently have Celebrity Traitors star Alan Carr installed as one of the favourites to replace the pair, she continued: "When Tess mentioned that it's their last series, she did little bowing motions - leaning forwards, curtseying very lightly.

"This comes across as apologetic. She feels sad for letting the fans down. Tess tightens her lips and raises her chin when Claudia speaks. This expression is like a response to bad news, she empathises with everyone's disappointment. Claudia's face is a little less emotional. A strong chin gives her more of a businesslike expression.

"Tess's brow furrowed and her head tilted, as if saying sorry, when she told the audience she can't wait to spend the next eight weeks together. At the same time, Claudia flashed a neutral, closed-mouth, businesslike smile.

Even though the Blonde's body language is empathetic, and the Brunette's body language is professional, we're suddenly treated to a little clue, when cameras are off them. When they think that attention is not on them anymore, they allow themselves to be more open with their feelings. Their rolling laughter as when the judges showed off their costumes, was a great moment of release for the two presenters. They allow their nerves to disperse."

Tess and Claudia stunned the showbiz world on Thursday October 23 when they announced their plans to step down from the show in a joint statement on Instagram. Posting alongside a video of them explaining they wanted people to hear it from them, they wrote: "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.

"They're the most brilliant team and we'll miss them every day. 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."

The pair's final on screen appearance will be on Christmas day in the pre-recorded festive special which is always a highlight of the BBC's seasonal output.