There wasn’t a dry eye left on the Strictly dancefloor as Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman shared an emotional final embrace during their very last Christmas Special appearance.
The much-loved presenting duo officially hung up their glittering dancing shoes after fronting the pre-recorded festive show, filmed ahead of their tearful farewell on Saturday night’s series final.
This year’s Christmas extravaganza saw a brand-new line-up of celebrity hopefuls put through a fast-tracked Strictly experience in a bid to lift the Glitterball and be crowned festive champions.
Dressed in elegant white and cream outfits, Tess, 56, and Claudia, 53, hugged and swayed together on the dancefloor as the celebrity contestants rose to applaud them.
Bringing the show to a close, a visibly emotional Tess told viewers:
“Thank you again for watching us over the years — it has truly meant the world to us.”
The Christmas Special also crowned its winners, with Scarlett Moffatt, 35, and professional partner Vito Coppola, 33, sweeping to victory after scoring a flawless 40 out of 40.
Their Cha Cha to Cher’s DJ Play A Christmas Song wowed judges Shirley Ballas, 65, Craig Revel Horwood, 60, Oti Mabuse, 35, and Anton Du Beke, 59 — sealing their place as the 2025 festive champions.
Overwhelmed by the win, 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 Christmas gift ever — we’ve all had the best time!”
They triumphed in a glitter-filled showdown that also featured Babatunde Aléshé, Brian McFadden, Jodie Ounsley, Melanie Blatt and EastEnders star Nicholas Bailey.
Following the broadcast, fans flooded X with emotional farewells to Tess and Claudia.
“There will never be another Tess and Claudia,” wrote one viewer.
Another added: “Mourning the end of them forever.”
A third confessed: “I’m sat here sobbing over their final Strictly — what a Christmas.”
The duo confirmed their decision to step down in October, saying in a joint statement:
“We were always going to leave together and now feels like the right time. We’ll cry when we say our last ‘keep dancing’ — but probably in tracksuit bottoms at home while holding pizza.”
During the Christmas show, Tess was surprised with an Argentine Tango from Aljaž Škorjanec, while Claudia received a heartfelt Love Actually-style gift from musical director Dave Arch.
They were also stunned when judge Craig Revel Horwood read out a personal letter from Queen Camilla, praising their partnership as “the greatest Strictly pairing of all.”
A choked-up Tess later said:
“I can’t speak — what an honour. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
After 21 years on the show — Tess since its launch in 2004 and Claudia since taking over from Sir Bruce Forsyth in 2013 — the iconic pair have officially passed the baton.
Sources reveal the duo are planning a much boozier wrap party in the New Year, after Claudia left the final bash early while Tess partied into the night.
Speculation is now rife over who will replace them, with names including Rylan Clark and Rob Rinder already being tipped — and head judge Shirley Ballas backing the duo as future hosts.
“Everyone is going to be sad,” Shirley admitted. “They are kind, polite and wonderful with every single person they meet.”
Strictly may go on, but fans are clear on one thing — the Tess and Claudia era will never be forgotten.
