The grand final of Strictly Come Dancing 2025 was an emotional rollercoaster, dominated by heartfelt farewells to its iconic presenting duo, Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. The pair, who delivered their last live show on Saturday 20 December 2025, were reduced to tears by a surprise tribute from none other than Queen Camilla.
A Royal Farewell on the Dance Floor
Emotions ran high throughout the evening as colleagues shared video messages of thanks. The BBC production team prepared a moving montage of the hosts' best moments from over the years. The most poignant surprise came when long-standing judge Craig Revel Horwood stepped forward to read a special message sent from Buckingham Palace.
In the tribute, Queen Camilla addressed Daly and Winkleman directly as they prepared "to take your final twirl." She thanked them on behalf of the show's millions of weekly viewers. The Queen suggested that Strictly is less about dancing and more about the friendships and shared joy it fosters, calling the hosts' partnership "perhaps the greatest Strictly partnership of all."
"The warmth, compassion, and sheer happiness you have radiated with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's success," the message continued. It concluded with the royal declaring the pair "utterly fabulous" and wishing them success, while urging them with a personal touch: "do promise us one thing, keep dancing." The note was signed, "With the warmest gratitude and admiration, Her Royal Highness, Queen Camilla."
Viewers and Hosts Overwhelmed with Emotion
The royal tribute proved too much for the normally composed presenters. A visibly moved Tess Daly admitted, "I can't speak now. What an honour." The sentiment was echoed by fans watching at home, who took to social media to express their own sadness at the duo's departure.
One viewer on X (formerly Twitter) wrote, "I’m sobbing. Wasn’t ready for this!" while another stated, "I could cry when I learnt that Tess and Claudia were leaving." Many praised their groundbreaking role as two female presenters, with one fan noting, "It was kind of groundbreaking having two female presenters together... I think a lot of people thought it wasn’t going to work."
Others reflected on their legacy, with a fan commenting, "Won't be the same without Tess and Claudia. Their iconic and epic legacy in the show will always be there, they are irreplaceable."
The End of an Era and a New Champion Crowned
The duo had announced their joint decision to leave in the autumn, stating it simply "feels like the right time." Tess Daly has been a fixture since the show's first series 21 years ago, while Claudia Winkleman joined the main show in 2014 after a decade hosting the companion programme It Takes Two. Their final broadcast will be the pre-recorded Christmas Special on 25 December.
Amidst the farewells, the competition continued, and Karen Carney and her professional partner Carlos Gu were crowned the 2025 champions. Carney, a former footballer, made history as the first female footballer to compete on Strictly and the first footballer ever to lift the Glitterball Trophy, which she did wearing a sequinned football shirt and hotpants.
Speculation now turns to who will fill the enormous void left by Daly and Winkleman. Rumoured names in the frame include Zoe Ball, Alison Hammond, Rylan Clark, and Fleur East, though the BBC has not yet announced a decision on their replacements.
