Tess Daly was showered with thoughtful gifts from her daughters and received a heartfelt message from the Strictly Come Dancing crew as she prepared for her final show. The much-loved presenter, 56, is gearing up to host her last episode on Saturday night alongside Claudia Winkleman, bringing an emotional close to a journey that has spanned over two decades. In a clip shared on Instagram Stories, Tess revealed: “Woke up to a lovely surprise from my girls on finals day!” The video showcased a carefully arranged selection of treats from her daughters Phoebe, 21, and Amber, 16, including chocolate bars of various types, nostalgic throwback photographs from her Strictly tenure, and a Terry’s chocolate orange wrapped with a sign that read: “Mum they have the popping candy ones!!!!” Tess shares her two daughters with husband Vernon Kay, whom she married in 2003, and the touching gesture highlighted the family support surrounding her on the milestone occasion. She also revealed an emotional message left by the Strictly crew on her mirror, reading: “Tess, thank you for everything! We will miss you dearly. Love, All the team Strictly x.” She captioned the moment by writing: “Grateful for the best team on the last day — it’s the FINAL!” Earlier on Friday, the BBC icon marked her last day of rehearsals with a moving tribute post, acknowledging her deep appreciation for the team. Tess announced earlier this series that she would be stepping down after 21 years, departing alongside Claudia in a decision that stunned loyal fans. She has been part of the programme since its debut episode in 2004, originally co-hosting alongside the legendary Bruce Forsyth until his retirement in 2013, upon which Claudia stepped into the role.
Ahead of Saturday night’s grand finale — and her last live broadcast — Tess showcased more behind-the-scenes moments, including her daughters’ thoughtful gifts placed in her dressing room. She expressed heartfelt gratitude, sharing memories from over the years and expressing how full her heart felt during her “last day of rehearsals.” The Strictly set itself became a tribute to her long-standing contribution, as crew members decorated her dressing room with pictures from throughout her tenure and a banner reading “Thank you for the memories.” The mirror message and room décor reinforced the emotional significance of the moment, capturing the bond Tess has grown with the Strictly family. She shared more images and clips showing the array of gifts and decorations, reflecting how deeply loved she has been by the cast and crew, while describing the day as overwhelming yet beautiful. She and Claudia were seen growing emotional during rehearsals in the ballroom, exchanging hugs and receiving supportive embraces from crew members. Tess addressed the group, saying: “Sharing it with all of you — I swear I love you because it feels like we’ve shared part of our lives, our children, everything.” Her words were met with applause, and a producer was seen comforting both her and Claudia as the pair held back tears.
As the countdown to the live final continued, crew members were seen gathering around Tess and Claudia, offering hugs, keepsakes, and words of support as they rehearsed lines on the iconic ballroom floor. Tess addressed the team with a trembling voice, saying, “Sharing this with all of you… we’ve lived so much of our lives here — our children growing up, our families changing — and it feels like part of my heart will always stay in this room.” Her emotional message was met with applause, and a producer placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder while Claudia wiped away tears beside her. Despite their professionalism, the weight of the moment was unmistakable; even seasoned crew members appeared moved as the two presenters stood center stage for one last practice.
On Instagram, Tess captioned the clip: “Not even live yet and we’ve cried and hugged more times than I can count. Nearly final time. Good luck to our couples tonight — we’re rooting for you. Let’s go out with a bang… and maybe another tear or two.” Their tearful rehearsal followed the joint announcement they made in October, where they revealed they felt it was time to “pass over the baton” after more than two decades at the heart of the beloved BBC show. Tess has fronted Strictly for an astonishing 21 years and 216 days — a feat recently recognized with a Guinness World Record for the longest-serving host of the same dance competition in history.
Reflecting on her journey, Tess acknowledged the legacy of Sir Bruce Forsyth, with whom she co-hosted until his retirement in 2013, and how Claudia became her on-screen partner and friend in the years that followed. Claudia added in their departure video, “There have been rumblings, and we want you to hear this from us,” before joking about their “sparkly baton” and expressing gratitude to everyone behind the scenes. Tess continued: “It’s been a huge part of our lives — our babies were tiny when we started, and now they’re grown adults. We have genuinely cherished every second.” Claudia concluded by thanking the Strictly team, insisting the magic of the show belonged to the people who created it.
Meanwhile, the live audience for the finale included this year’s contestants — with the notable absence of Thomas Skinner, the first celebrity eliminated back in October. Earlier that day, the Apprentice star had broken his silence about his exit, revealing he was “seeking legal advice” and alleging the BBC had “rigged official voting figures,” a claim which quickly fueled discussion online. Still, the prevailing tone of the evening remained focused on celebration and gratitude, especially for the two women who helped define Strictly for over twenty years.
Tess — whose journey spanned generations of contestants, multiple judging panels, and untold live shows — appeared both heartbroken and proud. The messages, tributes, nostalgic photographs, and emotional reactions reflected not only her professional achievements but the bonds she built. Claudia stood beside her through every hug and tear, the duo’s connection serving as a reminder of the friendship forged under bright lights and Saturday night pressure. Their exit may mark the end of an era, but the legacy they leave behind — the laughter, glamour, nerves, triumphs, and missteps — will remain a defining chapter in Strictly’s history.
And as fans prepare to watch the grand finale, the underlying sentiment is clear: this may be the last rehearsal, the last introduction, the last bow… but the impact of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman on the show — and on British television — will linger long after the music fades and the ballroom quiets.
