In a heartfelt farewell that promises to resonate with fans, Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly are set to host their final live episode of Strictly Come Dancing tonight. This marks the end of an era for the beloved duo, who announced in October their decision to leave the iconic BBC dancing competition after more than ten years of co-hosting the show together.
Their journey will culminate in a pre-recorded Christmas special that is scheduled to air on December 25, but before that, they will grace the stage at Elstree Studios in London for one last live show this weekend, where the champion of this year’s competition will be determined.
The finalists competing for the coveted title this year include West End sensation Amber Davies, former Lioness Karen Carney, and social media star George Clarke.
Having first joined the series back in 2004, Daly, now 56, initially presented alongside the late Bruce Forsyth, while Winkleman, 53, began her stint by hosting the weekday spin-off, It Takes Two. Over the years, Winkleman transitioned to co-host the Sunday night results show with Daly and became a regular feature on the main show every Saturday from 2014 onwards, following Forsyth's retirement.
Earlier this month, It Takes Two, the sister show to Strictly, paid homage to the dynamic pair. Reflecting on their upcoming departure, both presenters acknowledged the emotional weight of their final performance. When asked by host Fleur East if the reality of leaving had fully registered, Daly candidly admitted: "The short answer is no. I genuinely haven’t had time to think about it, because we’ve been so into this series, so absorbed by it - it’s such a brilliant series that all of our focus is on that, really. So I think it’d be a bit of a shock on the 20th. I might get emotional."
In their joint announcement regarding their exit, Winkleman and Daly expressed their deep appreciation for their time on the show, stating: "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."
Following their announcement, both hosts shared nostalgic posts on Instagram, filled with treasured memories. Winkleman remarked, "It’s very difficult to put into words exactly what Strictly has meant to me. It’s been the greatest relationship of my career." Daly echoed her sentiments, saying, "Thank you for the laughter, the friendship and the countless memories over all these years. You’ve filled my heart in ways I’ll never forget. I’ll miss you all so much."
Their remarkable contributions to television were recognized when they received the entertainment programme award at the 2024 Bafta TV Awards, and they were honored as Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the King’s Birthday Honours list for their services to broadcasting.
Beyond Strictly, Winkleman has hosted various programs, including Channel 4’s The Piano and the BBC’s The Great British Sewing Bee, and she also leads the hit competition series The Traitors, along with its celebrity edition. Meanwhile, Daly has an extensive portfolio of shows, including ITV’s makeover series Home On Their Own and the annual charity event BBC Children In Need.
The grand finale of Strictly Come Dancing airs tonight at 7 PM on BBC One, promising to be an emotional and memorable conclusion to Winkleman and Daly’s incredible journey. Will you be tuning in to witness this historic moment? Share your thoughts and favorite memories of the duo in the comments below!
