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After more than ten years of co-hosting, Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman are set to make their final appearance on Strictly Come Dancing, with their last show airing on Christmas Day. The two presenters will lead the Strictly Christmas Special broadcast on BBC One at 17:30, featuring six celebrity couples competing for the glitterball trophy.
In October, Daly and Winkleman surprised fans by announcing their decision to step down at the conclusion of the current series. Their exit has sparked much speculation about their successors, with names like Zoe Ball, Rylan, Janette Manrara, Alan Carr, and Holly Willoughby circulating as potential replacements. Despite recent challenges the show has faced, entertainment journalist Emma Bullimore highlights that hosting Strictly remains a highly coveted position. She remarked, “Make no mistake, this is still a huge gig on British TV,” emphasizing the show’s unique ability to unite families.
Both hosts have become synonymous with Strictly over the years. Tess Daly has been a fixture since the show’s inception 21 years ago, initially appearing alongside Sir Bruce Forsyth. Claudia Winkleman joined the presenting team in 2014 after nearly a decade hosting the companion programme It Takes Two. Together, they made history as the first all-female presenting duo on prime-time Saturday night television. Their announcement to leave the show caused a significant reaction online and even caught contestants by surprise. Speaking in an Instagram statement, the pair described their time on the show as “an absolute dream” and acknowledged the emotional difficulty of saying goodbye.
Throughout their tenure, Daly and Winkleman have been at the center of many memorable moments, marked by style and sparkle. Recently, a tribute video showcased highlights from their years on the show—including playful exchanges with judges and lighthearted backstage antics—culminating in each being awarded a unique golden glitterball trophy. Beyond the show, they famously completed a 24-hour danceathon for Comic Relief, raising over £1 million. Earlier this year, both were appointed Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for their contributions to broadcasting, receiving the honour from King Charles III. The final Strictly ballroom appearance of the duo was an emotional event, with Queen Camilla’s tribute noting their “warmth, compassion and sheer happiness” as key to the programme’s
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