Strictly co-host Claudia Winkleman explains why thought she might have to quit the show

Strictly Come Dancing co-host Claudia Winkleman has said she thought she might have to walk from the show if a clash meant she couldn't help her son move into university this year.

Claudia has been Tess Daly's on-screen partner for the live episodes since 2014, but during a recent appearance on the Woman's Hour podcast, she revealed how it all nearly came to an abrupt end.

"I phoned the boss of Strictly quite dramatically and said, through tears, 'Sarah [James, executive producer] I love you, I never want to leave Strictly and Tess and I have agreed we will leave together when they're done with us, that's fine, but if the first show is September 13, I'm out and you'll have to go with somebody else,'" she recalled.

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"There was a beat..." the TV star further explained, "and she went, 'Quite dramatic. We don't start that week.'

"I was like 'OK!'. Because it's a right of passage. I have to go and hang up his posters.

"It's not because I love him more than other people love their kids, but I think this is something parents have to go through, and I don't know how it's going to work exactly."

Strictly is expected to return to BBC One later this year and a number of changes have already been announced to this year's lineup.

Anton du Beke, the series' longest-serving professional dancer, moves to the judges' table alongside Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas.

And Janette Manrara leaves the show's pro lineup to become a host of Strictly spin-off It Takes Two, succeeding Zoe Ball.

Strictly Come Dancing airs on BBC One. It's due to return later in 2021.