The grand final of Strictly Come Dancing 2025 became an emotional farewell on Saturday 20 December, as long-serving hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman presented their last live show. Viewers and the hosts themselves were left in tears after a surprise tribute, which included a special message from Queen Camilla.
A Royal Farewell for Iconic Presenters
During the final broadcast, the show's team surprised Daly and Winkleman with a montage of their best moments from over the years. The tribute featured clips of members of the public and the Strictly crew sharing fond memories. One viewer highlighted the groundbreaking nature of their partnership, stating, "It was kind of groundbreaking having two female presenters together... I think a lot of people thought it wasn’t going to work."
The emotional high point came when judge Craig Revel Horwood read a dedicated message from Queen Camilla. The Queen's words praised the duo's unique partnership, calling them "utterly fabulous". Her message said: "I have often thought that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about friendships... If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly partnership of all." She concluded by urging them to "keep dancing".
Both presenters were visibly moved. Tess Daly, struggling to speak, responded, "I can't speak now. What an honour."
Viewers and Colleagues Share the Emotion
The heartfelt send-off resonated deeply with the audience at home. On social media, fans admitted to "blubbing" and "sobbing" throughout the episode. One fan wrote on X/Twitter: "Andddd I’m crying again…Tess and Claud you are SO loved and will be SO missed, I genuinely can’t imagine Strictly without you." Another commented on their "iconic and epic legacy," stating the pair were irreplaceable.
The professional dancers and judges also played a light-hearted prank on Claudia Winkleman, dressing up in black-fringed wigs as her doppelgangers. Winkleman herself wore an all-black suit printed with the show’s famous catchphrase, "Keep Dancing".
An End of an Era and a New Champion
Daly and Winkleman jointly announced their departure in autumn 2025, stating it "feels like the right time". Tess Daly has been a presenter since the show's first series 21 years ago, while Claudia Winkleman joined the main show in 2014, having hosted the sister programme It Takes Two since 2004. Their final pre-recorded episode will be the Christmas Special on 25 December.
Speculation is now mounting over their replacements. Rumoured names include Zoe Ball, Alison Hammond, Paddy McGuinness, Rylan Clark, Stacey Dooley, Janette Manrara, and Fleur East. The BBC has not yet announced when the new hosts will be revealed.
Amid the farewells, the 2025 series also crowned its champion. Karen Carney and her professional partner Carlos Gu lifted the Glitterball Trophy. Carney, a former footballer, made history as the first female footballer to compete on Strictly and the first footballer to reach the final.
