Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman to Host Their Final Strictly Come Dancing Episode
Noor Nanji, Culture Correspondent
Image: BBC/Guy Levy
On Christmas Day, Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will grace the Strictly Come Dancing stage for the last time, bringing an end to their celebrated tenure as presenters. Broadcasting at 17:30 on BBC One, the Strictly Christmas Special will feature six couples vying for victory beneath the iconic glitterball. The announcement of their departure at the conclusion of this series in October took fans by surprise, fueling speculation about who might step into their roles. Among the potential successors are Zoe Ball, Rylan, Janette Manrara, Alan Carr, and Holly Willoughby.
Despite recent challenges for the show, the job remains highly coveted on British television, according to entertainment journalist Emma Bullimore, who noted, "Make no mistake, this is still a huge gig on British TV. Not many shows bring families together in the way Strictly does."
Tess Daly has been with Strictly since its inception 21 years ago, initially sharing the stage with Sir Bruce Forsyth. Winkleman joined the main show in 2014 after a decade of hosting the sister program, It Takes Two. Their announcement of leaving, shared on Instagram in October, described the hosting opportunity as "an absolute dream," and highlighted their intention to exit together when the moment felt right.
Winkleman and Daly expressed their emotions about leaving, playfully noting, "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." BBC's chief content officer, Kate Phillips, described the moment as "the end of an era," praising their exceptional contributions to the show.
During their time at the forefront of Strictly, Daly and Winkleman witnessed a wealth of highlights and memorable moments. A tribute montage during this year's semi-final celebrated their years on the show, featuring standout clips ranging from earnest conversations with Sir Bruce Forsyth to comedic exchanges between the duo.
The pair famously took part in a 24-hour danceathon in 2019, raising over £1 million for Comic Relief. In its 20th anniversary year, Strictly was honored with the entertainment program award at the Bafta TV Awards. Earlier this year, both Winkleman and Daly received MBEs from King Charles III for their contributions to broadcasting.
Their final Strictly final was emotionally charged, with Queen Camilla offering a special message of appreciation read by judge Craig Revel Horwood, highlighting their "warmth, compassion, and sheer [dedication]."