Tess Daly shed tears while filming Strictly (Image: BBC)
In just a few weeks, Strictly Come Dancing hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will front their last-ever episode of the star-studded competition series, after announcing their departure from the BBC show in October. In a joint statement, they confirmed they would stay until the end of the series but didn’t share their reasons for stepping down. With the Christmas special airing later this month, it has been reported that Tess became overwhelmed with emotion while filming the pre-recorded episode.
It was also revealed that Tess, who has fronted the show since its first-ever episode in 2004, also received a gift from the panel of judges: Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton du Beke. The 56-year-old was also granted the opportunity to perform with the former professional dancer, Anton. This will mark the first time Tess has taken to the dance floor since she performed with Anton du Beke in the Children in Need special of 2008.
Claudia and Tess confirmed their exit in October (Image: Instagram)
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At the time, they were competing against the late Terry Wogan, who was paired with Flavia Cacace.
According to an audience member who spoke to the Mirror, after the Tuesday night recording, there was reportedly an overwhelming amount of emotion in the room at the close of the show.
“Tess and Claudia looked pretty choked as they grabbed hold of each other’s hands and said that this was the final time they were ever going to say ‘keeeeeep dancing.’
“They were fighting hard to hold it together, but it was clear they were saying that iconic catchphrase with more emotion than ever before.”
The insider said: “Tess was wiping away tears afterwards. She managed to do it in between takes, so on screen, she will look fine. But the audience knew, it all felt incredibly emotional. We were stamping and cheering and gave them a standing ovation at the end.”
Tess Daly will reportedly share a routine with Aljaz (Image: BBC)
Tess, who has fronted the show since its launch in 2004 alongside Sir Bruce Forsyth, was said to have been shocked when she was invited to take part in an Argentine Tango with Aljaz.
But it soon became clear that she had practised the partial dance they performed together, because she knew all the moves.
The source shared: “Tess was fabulous. Aljaz must have taught her how to do it, and she followed his instructions perfectly. Everyone watching was thrilled. It felt like a real treat to see something so rare. What a way to kick off their long goodbye.”
The Christmas special will also see Gogglebox favourite Scarlett Moffatt dance the Cha Cha Cha with Vito Coppola, All Saints singer Melanie Blatt, who’ll be dancing an American Smooth with her partner Kai Widdrington, Gladiator Jodie Ounsley, aka Fury, doing street dance with Neil Jones.
EastEnders’ Nicholas Bailey will perform a Viennese Waltz with Luba Mushtuk, comedian Babatunde Aleshe will dance a Charleston with Nancy Xu, while Westlife singer Brian McFadden will be jiving with Michelle Tsiakkas.
