Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman shared an emotional embrace as they presented from the Strictly Come Dancing dancefloor for a final time.
The longstanding hosts have now finally hung up their dancing shoes after presenting the show’s hotly anticipated Christmas special, while was filmed before their emotional farewell in Saturday’s final.
The dancing extravaganza saw a new group of celebrity groups put themselves to the test with a fast-tracked Strictly experience in a bid to be crowned the Christmas special winner.
Dressed in festive white and cream outfits, Tess, 56, and Claudia, 53, shared an emotional hug and dance while the celebrity contestants applauded them for their work on the show.
Bringing the show to a close, Tess told viewers: ‘Thank you again for watching us over the years, it has truly meant the world to us.’
The Christmas Special also saw Scarlett Moffatt, 35, and her pro partner Vito Coppola, 33, crowned the festive champions, after earning a perfect score.
They danced a Cha Cha to Cher’s DJ Play A Christmas Song and received an amazing 40 out of 40 from judges Shirley Ballas, 65, Craig Revel Horwood, 60, Oti Mabuse, 35, and Anton Du Beke, 59.
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman shared an emotional ‘last hug’ as they presented from the Strictly dance floor for a final time on Christmas Day
The longstanding hosts have now finally hung up their dancing shoes after presenting the show’s hotly anticipated Christmas special
Scarlett Moffatt and Vito Coppola (pictured) were crowned Strictly Come Dancing Christmas champions after scoring a perfect 40 from the judges
When asked what she felt like after being crowned winner of the special, Scarlett – who shot to fame on Gogglebox in 2014 – said: ‘This is amazing! I feel like I should have prepared a speech!
‘This is honestly the greatest gift that could have ever happened at Christmas.
‘We’ve all just had the best time!’
The duo emerged victorious after an action-packed special that saw funnyman Babatunde Aléshé, 39, singer Brian McFadden, 45, Gladiators star Jodie Ounsley, 24, All Saints legend Melanie Blatt, 50, and EastEnders actor Nicholas Bailey, 54, battle it out to lift the Glitterball Trophy to be named the Strictly Christmas Champion.
In a statement announcing their departure in October, Tess and Claudia said: ‘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 appearance on the Christmas special comes after it was reported that Tess and Claudia are planning a boozy wrap party to celebrate their departure from Strictly.
Dressed in festive white and cream outfits, Tess, 56, and Claudia, 53, shared an emotional hug and dance while the celebrity contestants applauded them for their work on the show
The pair’s appearance on the Christmas special comes after it was reported that Tess and Claudia are planning a boozy wrap party to celebrate their departure from Strictly
Tess has been at the helm of Strictly since 2004 and Claudia joined the show in 2013, taking over from the late Sir Bruce Forsyth
Tess – who has been with Strictly since day one – received an Argentine Tango with Aljaž Škorjanec as a Christmas gift from the judges
The star gushed she’d had the ‘best Christmas ever’ after getting to enjoy an impromptu dance with pro Aljaz
During the show, Claudia also received a special Love Actually-inspired parting gift from the show’s musical director Dave Arch
The duo hosted their last ever live show last Saturday after 21 years working on the show, and fronted the series for the final time in the pre-recorded Christmas Special.
While Tess and Claudia both joined the Strictly cast at the wrap party at the weekend, sources have now revealed they’re planning a much boozier celebration in the New Year.
Tess had partied until the early hours, even leading a singalong of Three Lions in honour of footballer Karen Carney’s win, but Claudia opted to leave the bash after just one drink.
The star has been part of the series since its very first episode back in 2004 where she presented alongside the late Bruce Forsyth, with Claudia taking over from Sir Bruce when he retired in 2013.
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.’
They went on to tell The Sun: ‘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.’
There were a number of emotional tributes to the Claudia and Tess during Saturday’s final including a special compilation video with messages from the Strictly crew and Mary Berry.
And the pair were left blown away after being surprised by a letter from Queen Camilla herself, which was read out by judge Craig Revel Horwood.
It said: ‘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 have 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 fabulous. I wish you both every success in wherever life’s journey takes you next, but as one who has appreciated its lifelong benefits, do promise us one thing, keep dancing.
‘With the warmest gratitude and admiration, Her Royal Highness, Queen Camilla.’
Thanking fans, a visibly emotional Tess said: ‘I can’t speak now. What an honour. Thank you so much for your lovely words, from the bottom of the hearts it means so much to us.’
The duo hosted their last ever live show on Saturday after 21 years working on the show, but made their final appearance in the pre-recorded Christmas Special
There were a number of emotional tributes to the Claudia and Tess during Saturday’s final, including a letter from Queen Camilla herself
Claudia replied: ‘That is amazing, what a wonderful surprise. Thank you so much. We have loved being part of such a wonderful show. It has been a privilege to be a part of your weekends.’
The duo announced their exits in a joint video on Instagram in October, saying the time had come to ‘pass over the baton’ as they shared their gratitude for being able to take part in the ‘amazing show.’
Following news of the pair’s departure there has been much speculation about who could step into Tess and Claudia’s glittering Strictly shoes.
And earlier this month, head judge Shirley threw her support behind two TV stars to replace them on the BBC show.
The likes of Bradley Walsh, Holly Willoughby, Alison Hammond and Zoe Ball have all had their names thrown into the ring, but Shirley has backed someone new.
The judge, who joins Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke on the panel, is supporting two BBC presenter friends, who already have experience co-hosting together with their own docu-series.
Shirley told The Independent: ‘I think Rylan [Clark] could be a good candidate… Judge Rinder would be wicked in the Clauditorium.’
She added: ‘I know Anton du Beke would love to be hosting… I know that for sure. There’s an expression in life to stay in your lane. My lane is dancing.’
The judge also gushed over current hosts Tess and Claudia, who will depart the series when it comes to an end with its series finale on Saturday night.
‘They’re so polite and so kind to every single person they meet,’ Shirley concluded. ‘I think everyone’s going to be sad.’
Rylan, 37, and Rob, 47, have been working together since the launch of their first travel series, Rob and Rylan’s Grand Tour, which aired in 2024.
The show, which started off in Italy and follows the duo as they dive into art, history and culture, has since gone on to have a second series filmed across India, with a third series in Greece commissioned by the BBC.
In 2019, Rylan landed his ‘dream job’ when he started hosting Strictly spin-off series It Takes Two alongside Zoe Ball – joking he planned to bring ‘mischief’ to the studio.
He went on to step back from the presenting gig in 2023, replaced by Fleur East, to ‘take some time off’ to rest amid a busy filming schedule.
