Tess Daly has shared a deeply emotional tribute following her final appearance as host of Strictly Come Dancing during Saturday night's grand finale. The 56-year-old presenter, who has fronted the BBC ballroom juggernaut for a staggering 21 years, signed off alongside her co-host Claudia Winkleman in a tear-filled moment that marked the end of an era.
A Heartfelt Social Media Goodbye
After the cameras stopped rolling on the final, which saw former footballer Karen Carney lift the Glitterball Trophy with professional partner Carlos Gu, Daly took to social media to express her gratitude. Posting behind-the-scenes footage with Winkleman, she penned a lengthy and heartfelt note to the show's legion of fans.
"So that’s a wrap," she wrote. "What an incredible Final - fitting for what, for me, has been an absolutely brilliant series." Daly described Strictly as a show "made with love, where joy is the currency," crediting the entire production team for their passion. She concluded by stating she would be "forever grateful for the unforgettable years" spent sharing the "magical show" with viewers, thanking them from the "bottom of my heart for the memories of a lifetime."
A Royal Surprise and Celebrity Tributes
The emotional farewells were not confined to social media. During the live finale, judge Craig Revel Horwood read out a surprise tribute from Queen Camilla, leaving both Daly and Winkleman visibly stunned and struggling to contain their emotion.
The Queen's message praised the duo's "warmth, compassion, and sheer happiness," calling theirs "perhaps the greatest strictly partnership of all." She thanked them on behalf of the show's millions of weekly viewers and urged them to "keep dancing." A moved Tess Daly responded on air, saying, "I can't speak now. What an honour."
Online, Daly's post was flooded with support from celebrity friends. Television presenter Rylan Clark commented, "Love you both so much. Irreplaceable," while broadcaster Zoe Ball declared Daly an "absolute Goddess." Claudia Winkleman also marked the occasion on her Instagram, sharing photos of Strictly-themed cakes and snaps with her team backstage.
The End of a Record-Breaking Era
Tess Daly's departure concludes a monumental chapter in British television history. She has hosted the show for 21 years and 216 days, a tenure that earned her a Guinness World Record earlier this week for the longest-serving host of the same dance competition. She first appeared on the programme at its inception in 2004, presenting alongside the late Sir Bruce Forsyth until his retirement in 2013, after which Winkleman joined as her co-host.
The finale, while a celebration for winners Karen Carney and Carlos Gu, was undeniably dominated by the poignant farewell to the show's iconic presenting duo. Their final sign-off marks a significant turning point for the beloved Saturday night institution, as the BBC now looks to a new chapter for Strictly Come Dancing.
