TESS Daly was reduced to tears by the Strictly judges tonight as she hosted her last ever final.
The star has been part of the team since it first launched in 2004, hosting the show alongside Sir Bruce Forsyth, before Claudia Winkleman took over.
However, after 21 years at the helm, Tess announced that she would be leaving alongside Claudia at the end of this series.
Emotions ran high for the pro dancers, judges and hosts alike as they prepared to bid farewell to Tess and Claudia.
While the consummate pros kept their exit quietly on the backburner throughout the evening so attention could remain on this year’s finalists, things reached a peak when Tess was joined by Karen Carney and Carlos Gu after their final performance.
Karen first noted that the pair had realised it would be the last time she would be there to comfort the dancers after their routine, and wanted to “make sure that it counted”.
While Tess was touched, it was a fleeting comment from Anton Du Beke – the only other original cast member still on the show – that finally broke her.
As he praised Karen and Carlos’s dance to One Way or Another, the judge choked up as he turned to Tess and told her: “I have to say this as well, I can’t tell you how much I’ve loved, Tess, spending the last 21 years with you. I love you.”
Catching her off-guard, Tess was seen choking back tears as Karen and Carlos comforted her and the audience applauded.
The sentimental moment clearly caught the other judges as well, with Motsi Mabuse seen wiping away tears, and Shirley Ballas clung on to Anton as they tried to compose themselves.
Craig Revel Horwood made light of the situation, joking he was “there to ruin the mood” but then also said: “I just realised this is the judge’s last little thing with Tess, isn’t it?
“And that’s replicated by all of us. We all deeply and dearly love you, and I’m gonna miss you like would not believe.”
With that, Tess started crying, before being hugged by Carlos and Karen before they moved on to the ‘Clauditorium’.
Tonight, Carlos and Karen were crowned champions of the series, and shared their night of celebration with Tess and Claudia.
The team behind the show made sure the night was full of surprises for them both – from the professional dancers all dressing like Claudia to announce the opening of the vote lines to a video tape from the backstage cast all celebrating their hard work.
But in the biggest surprise of the evening, the duo were stopped from their hosting duties by Craig who was tasked with reading out a special letter from Queen Camilla herself – who has been a longtime superfan of the dancing favourite.
It read: “Dear Tess and Claudia, as you prepare to take your final twirl, I just want to say thank you on behalf of the millions who watch you each week.
“I’ve often thought that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about friendships, the bonds forged, the struggles overcome and the joy shared in undertaking a joint endeavour.
“If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly partnership of all. The warmth, compassion and sheer happiness you have radiated with and from each other has been at the heart of the show’s success.”
“I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly fab-u-lous,” the letter continued. “I wish you both every success in wherever life’s journey takes you next, but as one who has appreciated its lifelong benefits, you promise us one thing: Keeeeeep dancing!
“With warmest gratitude and admiration Her Royal Highness, Queen Camilla.”
After the finale aired, Tess posted a heartfelt goodbye to the show, thanking everyone for the past two decades and paying tribute to Strictly and its legacy.
“So that’s a wrap. What an incredible Final – fitting for what, for me, has been an absolutely brilliant series,” she wrote.
“Strictly is a show that is made with love, where joy is the currency and the only agenda. That love is down to every single member of the brilliant team that makes it, because to none of them is it just a job. It is a gift, and it is truly treasured.
“I will be forever grateful for the unforgettable years I have spent sharing this magical show with you. I’ll miss the Strictly viewers, because they are the very best, the most loyal and supportive, and as passionate about the show as I have always been.”
“It has been the most wonderful privilege to have shared it with you all for so many years,” she concluded.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the memories of a lifetime ❤️”
Although this is Tess and Claudia’s final live Strictly show, they will also be shown hosting the festive special, to be aired on Christmas Day, which was pre-recorded earlier this month.
