STRICTLY hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will perform a farewell dance together during the Christmas Day special — the final time they will be seen on the show.
They will take part in a routine alongside the professionals as they say goodbye after co-hosting the main show for the past 11 years.
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Strictly’s Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly are set to perform a farewell dance togetherCredit: Getty
Claudia and Tess shared a video revealing they were stepping down as Strictly hosts
Tess, 56, and Claudia, 53, do not usually do any choreography apart from a token shimmy with each other at the end of each show when they join the judges in telling viewers to “Keep dancing!”
A TV insider said: “Both hosts are the first to admit they’re not natural movers, certainly not compared to the pros they’re surrounded by every week.
“But they know this is a special occasion and this special routine is as much an opportunity for everyone on the show to say goodbye to Tess and Claudia as it is for the viewers at home.
“What better way to bid farewell to Britain’s biggest dance show than with a good dance?
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“Bosses are keeping the details of the ‘last dance’ a closely kept secret though they’re expecting it to be fun and celebratory in tone.”
Tess has danced in a Strictly capacity before but not on the main show.
She waltzed with former host Sir Bruce Forsyth in a Children in Need special in 2015, and put in a dazzling performance.
By contrast Claudia says she is a dreadful mover, once claiming: “I’m not very good at standing, let alone dancing.”
But she did put her best foot forward yesterday, wearing a white trouser suit and matching headband as she was made an MBE by King Charles in an investiture at Windsor Castle.
Claudia was recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours for services to broadcasting.
Tess was made an MBE, also for services to broadcasting, by the King last month.
She said it was the greatest honour of her career and dedicated it to her father “because he’d be so proud of his daughter meeting the King, in a castle”.
Tess and Claudia announced in October that they will both leave Strictly at the end of this series.
The December 20 final will be their last live show. Then, on December 25, the BBC will air the festive special, recorded last night.
Claudia was made an MBE by King Charles in an investiture at Windsor CastleCredit: PA
Claudia wore a white trouser suit and matching headband for the occasionCredit: i-Images
