The glitterball may have found a new home, but the true stars of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 final were its departing hosts. In a wave of raw emotion, Tess Daly and Anton Du Beke broke down in tears as they filmed their final live show, bringing the curtain down on a defining chapter for the BBC juggernaut.
A Final Dance and Flood of Emotions
The poignant moment unfolded on Saturday, 20th December, after the last competitive dance of the series by Karen Carney and Carlos Gu. As Tess addressed the judging panel for the final time, her long-time colleague Anton was overcome. Turning to the presenter, who has been a fixture on the show since its inception, Du Beke delivered a heartfelt tribute that left the studio in silence.
"I can't tell you how much I have loved, Tess, spending the last 21 years with you," he said, his voice cracking with emotion. As Anton began to cry, Tess was visibly moved, receiving a supportive hug from dancers Karen and Carlos beside her. She tearfully thanked him, the weight of the moment clear for all to see.
The emotion spread to the judges' desk, where Craig Revel Horwood also began his goodbye, telling Daly they would "miss you like you would not believe." The scenes marked the culmination of a journey that began back in October, when Tess and co-host Claudia Winkleman shocked fans by announcing their joint departure in a surprise Instagram post.
The End of an Era and the Search for Successors
In a joint statement released at the time, the iconic presenting duo said: "We have loved working as a duo and hosting Strictly has been an absolute dream. We were always going to leave together and now feels like the right time." They extended an "enormous thank you" to the BBC and every person working on the show.
Daly's 21-year tenure and Winkleman's role since 2014 have left enormous sparkly shoes to fill. Since the announcement, speculation has run rife about their replacements. Names like Alison Hammond, Bradley Walsh, Alex Jones, and Alan Carr have all been rumoured. However, reports suggest Hammond is committed to ITV's This Morning, and the BBC is in no rush to decide.
BBC boss Kate Phillips, speaking on The Rest is Entertainment podcast last month, confirmed the hosts' exit was "very much" their own decision. She revealed they called her pre-announcement, fearing a leak. Phillips stated that while her inbox had been "inundated" with interest, formal auditions are on hold until the New Year as the team focuses on delivering the current series.
Looking Forward with a Dancing Heart
Despite the sadness, the mood was not solely one of goodbye. During the live final, Tess shared a backstage photo with Claudia on Instagram, defiantly captioning it: "You better believe we’re gonna keep dancing." The message assures fans that while their time in the Strictly ballroom has ended, their partnership and spirit continue.
The departure of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman closes a beloved chapter for one of British television's most cherished programmes. As the search for new hosts begins in earnest in 2026, the emotional final served as a powerful testament to the deep bonds and unforgettable moments created over two decades of sequins, salsa, and spectacular Saturday night entertainment.
