Tess Daly bids emotional farewell to Strictly Come Dancing after 21 years

Tess Daly delivered a tearful farewell on Saturday's finale of Strictly Come Dancing, ending a 21-year run as the show's lead host. Daly waved off the audience with Claudia Winkleman by her side as ex-footballer Karen Carney and her pro partner Carlos Gu claimed the glitterball trophy, closing out a season defined by high-stakes performances and emotional moments in the ballroom.

Taking to social media after the cameras stopped rolling, Daly expressed gratitude to the show’s devoted audience. In a post that accompanied behind-the-scenes footage, she wrote that the final had been “an incredible Final” and that Strictly is a show “made with love, where joy is the currency and the only agenda.” She thanked the viewing public for the memories and called the experience a gift she would always treasure, noting that she would miss the loyal, passionate fans who helped define her time on the program. Claudia Winkleman shared a similar sense of farewell in a separate stream of content, posting scenes from backstage as the pair prepared to sign off.

During the finale, Daly and Winkleman were unexpectedly honored with a tribute from Her Majesty The Queen. The message, read aloud by Craig Revel Horwood, expressed royal gratitude for the pair’s long service. It stated: “Tess and Claudia, as you prepare to take your final twirl, I just want to say thank you on behalf of the millions who watch you each week.” The moment left the studio and viewers buzzing, underscoring the cultural impact of the duo’s two-decade partnership on British television.

The emotional tone carried through the room as Daly and Winkleman absorbed the tribute, with Daly telling the audience that she could not speak immediately after the reading, adding that the gesture meant “so much to us.” The moment illustrated the depth of connection Strictly has cultivated with viewers, many of whom have followed Daly for more than two decades.

In the post-finale reflections, Daly appeared alongside a glowing account of the show’s history. She has fronted Strictly for 21 years and 216 days, a tenure that earned her a Guinness World Record for the longest-serving host of the same dance competition earlier in the week. Daly began on the series when it premiered in 2004, partnering on screen with the late Sir Bruce Forsyth, who remained a central figure on the show until his retirement in 2013 and subsequent passing in 2017 when Claudia took over as co-host.

News of Daly’s departure comes as the Strictly family prepares for a broader transition. Winkleman, who has been a constant presence alongside Daly since the show’s early days, has consistently framed the program as a celebration of teamwork, friendship and perseverance. The finale also highlighted the show’s competitive spirit through Carney and Gu’s glittering triumph, a moment that capped a season marked by drama, resilience and the enduring appeal of the ballroom.

Fans immediately flooded social media with messages of gratitude for Daly’s years of service. Celebrity colleagues and fans alike lauded her for bringing warmth, humor and stability to a program that has become a staple of Saturday-night viewing in the United Kingdom. The farewell sequence, including the Queen’s tribute, was widely seen as a fitting send-off for a presenter whose tenure helped shape a generation’s expectations around what a televised ballroom dance show could be.

Beyond the immediate broadcast, observers noted the broader significance of Daly’s record-setting run. As the first host to guide Strictly from its infancy, she helped establish a template that balanced competition with personal storytelling, a formula that has helped the series endure for more than two decades. The show’s producers emphasized continuity, while also acknowledging the need for renewal as the lineup evolves and new generations of viewers come to the franchise.

The finale’s emotional arc was underscored by the Queen’s letter as a rare public nod from royalty to television talent whose presence has become woven into British popular culture. The moment offered a poignant reminder of the reach and influence of Strictly Come Dancing beyond the dance floor, touching audiences across demographics and generations. As Daly steps away from the role she has inhabited for much of her adult life, the program’s next chapter will hinge on how the team carries forward the spirit of collaboration, joy, and inclusivity that has defined its recent era.