The glittering era of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman as the faces of Strictly Come Dancing draws to a poignant close this evening. The beloved presenting duo will host the BBC show for the final time during the Christmas Special, which airs on BBC One at 5.30pm on 25 December 2025.
An End of an Era for the BBC Show
Their impending departure, announced in October 2025, sent shockwaves through the show's legion of fans. Daly, 56, first took to the Strictly floor 21 years ago alongside the late Sir Bruce Forsyth. Winkleman, 53, joined her as main co-host in 2014, having been a fixture on the companion show It Takes Two since 2004.
In a joint statement, the pair reflected on their time, calling it "an absolute dream." They revealed they had always planned to leave together, stating, "now feels like the right time." They added a characteristically warm and humorous note: "We will cry when we say the last 'keep dancing' but we will continue to say it to each other. Just possibly in tracksuit bottoms at home while holding some pizza."
A Royal Farewell and Festive Finale
The pair, who were both made MBEs by King Charles III earlier this year for services to broadcasting, received a stunning send-off during last Saturday's final. In a deeply emotional moment, judge Craig Revel Horwood read a special message from Queen Camilla.
The Queen praised the hosts' "warmth, compassion and sheer happiness" as central to the programme's success, concluding: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly fab-u-lous." A compilation of their best moments also aired during the semi-final on 13 December.
For their last show, the Christmas special, both presenters will feature in unique segments. Tess Daly will perform an Argentine tango with professional dancer Aljaž Škorjanec. Meanwhile, Claudia Winkleman will star in a Love Actually-themed parody, where composer Dave Arch will greet her with placards echoing the film's famous romantic declaration.
The Race to Fill Their Shoes
With the duo's exit confirmed, speculation is already rife about their successors on the flagship entertainment programme. Bookmakers currently list Zoe Ball, the Radio 2 presenter and former It Takes Two host, as the 2-1 favourite.
Other names in the frame include:
- Current It Takes Two presenter Fleur East
- Former Strictly professional dancer Janette Manrara
- Past winner Stacey Dooley
- Presenter and broadcaster Rylan Clark
Tonight's festive edition will also see six celebrities compete for the Christmas champion title, including TV's Scarlett Moffatt, All Saints singer Melanie Blatt, and EastEnders star Nicholas Bailey.
As the curtain falls on their tenure, Daly and Winkleman leave behind a legacy defined by their infectious chemistry and unwavering warmth, which became as much a part of Strictly's magic as the dances themselves.
