It was a night full of emotion as Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman opened their final ever live episode of Strictly Come Dancing.
The longtime hosts, who announced back in October that they would be stepping down, welcomed viewers with heartfelt smiles and a few tears, marking the end of an era for the BBC ballroom show.
While the evening was bittersweet for Tess and Claudia, the spotlight quickly turned to the three celebrities battling it out for the coveted Glitterball Trophy: Amber Davies, George Clarke, and Karen Carney.
Style and Sentiment: Tess and Claudia Make a Statement
Claudia kept her signature style intact, pairing a sleek black jacket with a crisp white blouse.
The back of her jacket featured the embroidered message “keep dancing,” a touching nod to her and Tess’s famous catchphrase.
Tess, meanwhile, shimmered in a rose-gold sequined dress, complete with a daring thigh-high slit and shoulderless design, ensuring all eyes were on her for the final time.
Opening the show, the pair shared their gratitude: “Thanks to our cast and choreographer Jason Gilkison for that spectacular opening, and thank you for joining us for one glorious last night in the ballroom.”
With 15 celebrities having graced the dance floor this season, only three remain, and the judges and audience would soon decide who would claim the championship.
Amber Davies Kicks Off the Finale
Amber Davies and her professional partner Nikita took to the dance floor first with a fiery Paso Doble, chosen by head judge Shirley Ballas.
Dancing to Aerosmith’s Dream On, the pair impressed the judges, earning a near-perfect score of 39 out of 40.
Craig Revel Horwood, as usual, was reluctant to hand out a perfect 10, citing minor technical details.
Next up, George Clarke and Alexis performed a Viennese Waltz to Queen’s Somebody to Love, selected by Anton D Beke.
Their grace and poise wowed Mosti Mabuse, Shirley Ballas, and Anton, each awarding a perfect 10.
Once again, Craig’s nine kept the score just shy of perfection, bringing George’s total to 39 out of 40.
Karen Carney Delivers the Night’s First Perfect Score
Karen Carney and her partner Carlos danced a passionate Tango to Red Right Hand by Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds.
Inspired by Peaky Blinders—a favorite of Karen’s—the performance captivated the judges, earning the first perfect 40 of the evening.
The energy in the ballroom was electric, and it was clear the competition was heating up.
Showdances Turn Up the Drama
After quick outfit changes, Amber and Nikita returned for their showdance, performing to Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande’s Rain On Me.
The pair dazzled once more, though Craig again docked points over minor elements he described as “a series of tricks,” leaving Amber with another 39 out of 40.
George and Alexis followed with their showdance to Human by The Killers.
Shirley Ballas praised George for his incredible growth, telling him he had gone from “zero to hero.”
Their performance mirrored Amber’s, earning another 39 out of 40.
Celebrating Tess Daly’s Legendary Career
This week, Tess Daly was officially recognized with a Guinness World Record for being the longest-serving host of the same dance competition, having fronted Strictly Come Dancing for an astonishing 21 years and 216 days.
Since the very first episode in 2004, Tess has been a constant presence, originally presenting alongside the late Bruce Forsyth, who remained until his retirement in 2013.
Claudia then stepped in to co-host, carrying the show through its next chapter.
Looking Ahead: 2025 Strictly Christmas Special
The excitement doesn’t stop with the finale.
The 2025 Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special promises another star-studded lineup, including:
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Scarlett Moffatt, 35, television presenter, partnered with Vito Coppola
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Jodie Ounsley, 24, Gladiator, partnered with Neil Jones
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Babatunde Aleshe, 39, comedian, partnered with Nancy Xu
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Melanie Blatt, 50, All Saints singer, partnered with Kai Widdrington
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Nicholas Bailey, 54, EastEnders actor, partnered with Luba Mushtuk
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Brian McFadden, 45, Westlife singer, partnered with Michelle Tsiakkas
Fans have plenty to look forward to as the festive celebrations take center stage on the dance floor.
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