TESS Daly and Claudia Winkleman are throwing a secret wrap party for their nearest and dearest in the Strictly Come Dancing family.
The departing hosts plan to celebrate their time at the helm of the BBC dance show with a “proper boozy send-off” in the New Year.
Tess partied until 1am at the programme’s Elstree Studios base after the pair filmed their final live show on Saturday night, but Claudia, 53, left quietly after one drink.
But a source said: “Tess and Claudia are arranging a big Strictly gathering in the New Year for all the team to get together and have a proper boozy send-off. It’ll be a long lunch with all their closest friends on the show where everyone can really let loose behind closed doors.
“Claudia only stayed for a quiet drink on Saturday so this intimate wrap party will be a lovely goodbye for everyone.”
Tess, 56, her presenter husband Vernon Kay, 51, and their daughter Phoebe, 21, partied on-set after Lioness Karen Carney lifted the Glitterball Trophy with pro dancer Carlos Gu on Saturday.
The stars, their partners, family, friends and the show’s judges got stuck into the free bar — and later Tess led a raucous rendition of Three Lions in honour of Karen.
There will be some special performances on-screen when the beloved duo grace the ballroom for one final time on tomorrow’s pre-recorded Strictly Christmas special — which will see Tess perform a dance for the first time ever.
She is twirled around the floor in an Argentine tango with pro dancer Aljaž Škorjanec, 35.
Claudia has her own fun as she pays homage to classic Christmas feelgood film Love Actually with a skit in “The Clauditorium” where she answers the door to Strictly’s band conductor, Dave Arch, holding cue cards.
Judges Anton Du Beke, Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel Horwood are sat at special cocktail tables sipping on bubbly.
As well as fond farewells, the Christmas Day special sees six couples battle it out to be the champions. The line-up includes comedian Babatunde Aléshé with Nancy Xu and Westlife singer Brian McFadden and Michelle Tsiakkas.
There is also Jodie Ounsley (aka Gladiators’ Fury) with Neil Jones, All Saints star Melanie Blatt with Kai Widdrington, Gogglebox’s Scarlett Moffatt with Vito Coppola and EastEnders star Nicholas Bailey with Luba Mushtuk. It starts at 5.30pm on BBC1 tomorrow.
Alex Jones from The One Show and Bradley Walsh are hot favourites to replace Tess and Claudia but bosses are said to be “desperate” to sign Celebrity Traitors winner Alan Carr.
Other names in the mix include The One Show presenter Angela Scanlon, Alison Hammond, Rylan Clark and Rob Rinder.
Whoever gets the job, Tess and Claudia will be a hard act to follow.
After Saturday’s final, they paid tribute to each other online.
Tess said: “I will be forever grateful for the unforgettable years I have spent sharing this magical show with you.”
Claudia shared a shot of her holding Tess’s hand as they walked together on set for Saturday’s final. She wrote: “For the last time. I love you Tess.”
