Saturday night’s Strictly Come Dancing was packed with sparkle, emotion, and a touch of bittersweet nostalgia as Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman once again lit up the BBC ballroom.
The beloved hosts, who recently revealed that this will be their final series together, brought their signature glamour to week seven — and reminded fans exactly why they’ll be so missed.
Glamour in Black: A Perfect Pairing
Backstage, the presenting duo looked effortlessly chic in matching black ensembles.
Tess, 56, turned heads in a stunning fitted halterneck dress that shimmered under the studio lights.
She completed her look with classic stiletto heels and soft, loose curls that framed her face beautifully.
Claudia, 53, was every bit her usual style icon, opting for a sequined blouse paired with matching tailored trousers.
A hint of gold jewellery and her trademark fringe completed the look.
Together, they looked every inch the Strictly dream team — stylish, confident, and glowing with chemistry after more than a decade on the show.
A Night of Surprises and Standing Ovations
On the dance floor, emotions ran high as Vicky Pattison delivered a show-stopping Tango that left everyone in awe.
Dancing with Kai Widdrington to The Fate of Ophelia by Taylor Swift, the TV star earned an incredible 39 points — a personal best that even left judge Anton Du Beke speechless.
“Your line is the best I have ever seen, ever! It was immaculate,” Anton declared, visibly impressed.
Even Craig Revel Horwood, known for his razor-sharp critiques, couldn’t resist softening up, joking about her arm placement before admitting, “Apart from that… it was perfect.”
From Triumph to Trouble: The Other End of the Leaderboard
While Vicky soared to the top, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey had a tougher night.
The athlete’s Samba to Gloria Estefan’s Samba earned just 26 points, landing him at the bottom of the leaderboard alongside partner Karen Hauer.
Despite the setback, the crowd’s support remained loud — a reminder that anything can happen on Strictly.
The End of an Era: Tess and Claudia’s Big Announcement
As much as fans love seeing Tess and Claudia banter between dances, this season comes with a heartfelt goodbye.
Last month, the pair confirmed on social media that they’ll be stepping away from Strictly Come Dancing after the current series wraps up.
In a candid video shared to their Instagram pages, Claudia began by addressing the rumours: “There have been some rumblings and we want you to hear this from us.”
Tess then added with her trademark warmth, “After 21 wonderfully joyful years on Strictly, we’ve decided the time is right to step aside and pass over the baton.”
Claudia, ever the comic, jumped in with a grin: “The very sparkly baton!”
Reflecting on Two Decades of Magic
The emotional announcement took fans on a trip down memory lane.
Tess reminisced about starting out with the late Bruce Forsyth over two decades ago.
“It’s been such a huge part of our lives — our children were literally babies when we began, and now they’re grown. We’ve cherished every second.”
Claudia added, “We’re so lucky to have been part of this amazing show.
But Strictly isn’t just about the glitter — it’s about the people who make it happen.”
Who Could Be Next to Host?
As soon as news of their departure broke, speculation began swirling over who might step into their sparkly shoes.
Fans have already thrown out potential names, including It Takes Two host Zoe Ball and current Strictly contestant La Voix.
Whoever takes over will have enormous shoes to fill — and a legacy of laughter, sequins, and sisterhood to carry forward.
A Farewell Fit for the Ballroom
While the season continues to deliver drama and dazzling performances, there’s no denying that this year feels different.
The sparkle will still be there, the music will play, but for many fans, Strictly Come Dancing just won’t be the same without Tess and Claudia steering the ship.
As the pair gracefully bow out, one thing’s for sure — they’ll leave the dance floor just as they arrived: glamorous, gracious, and side by side.