In a poignant and surprise finale, Tess Daly performed her last dance on Strictly Come Dancing during the show's Christmas special. The long-standing host took to the floor for an Argentine Tango with professional dancer Aljaž Škorjanec, marking her final performance after fronting the hit BBC series since its 2004 launch.
An Emotional Farewell on the Dancefloor
Dressed in a sharp white trouser suit, Daly, 56, appeared completely in her element as she executed the complex routine. The moment served as a parting gift from the judges for both her and co-host Claudia Winkleman, who are stepping down together. This was Daly's first competitive dance on the show since 2008, when she performed in a Children in Need special against the late Sir Terry Wogan.
Filming for the Christmas Day special was reportedly highly charged. An audience member revealed to The Mirror that both hosts were visibly emotional, holding hands as they delivered their iconic "keeeeeep dancing" catchphrase for the final time. "Tess was wiping away tears afterwards," the insider said, noting she composed herself between takes. The audience responded with a standing ovation for the presenting duo.
Claudia's 'Love Actually' Send-Off
Claudia Winkleman also received a themed farewell, with musical director Dave Arch orchestrating a 'Love Actually' inspired goodbye. The pair, who have hosted together for 15 years, announced their joint departure in October, stating they had always planned to leave the show simultaneously.
Their joint Instagram statement read: "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." They added they would miss the team "every day" and would continue saying "keep dancing" to each other, possibly "in tracksuit bottoms at home while holding some pizza."
Christmas Special Line-Up and Final Curtain
The festive special, airing on 25 December 2025, opens with a group number to 'Happy Holidays'. It features six celebrity contestants vying for the Christmas Glitterball Trophy:
- Gogglebox's Scarlett Moffatt (Cha Cha with Vito Coppola)
- All Saints singer Melanie Blatt (American Smooth with Kai Widdrington)
- Gladiator 'Fury', Jodie Ounsley (dancing with Neil Jones)
- EastEnders star Nicholas Bailey (Viennese Waltz with Luba Mushtuk)
- Comedian Babatunde Aleshe (Charleston with Nancy Xu)
- Westlife's Brian McFadden (Jive with Michelle Tsiakkas)
All four judges—Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas, and Anton Du Beke—will also appear. For Tess Daly, however, the Argentine Tango with Aljaž Škorjanec was the perfect, emotional swansong, closing a major chapter in British television history as she and Claudia pass the baton to a new generation of hosts.
