Strictly Come Dancing Final: Tess Daly lets slip cue card confession during winner announcement
Let's hope all goes to plan on Saturday night…Tess Daly has revealed a surprising behind-the-scenes secret about the Strictly Come Dancing final with just days to go until the competition wraps up.
The long-serving presenter appeared on The One Show on Tuesday night (December 17) ahead of Saturday’s grand finale. It will also mark her final appearance on the BBC dance show.
Tess Daly reflects on final Strictly series
Reflecting on her last series as host, Tess said: “This year, it’s just another level. I think there have been more perfect 40s this year, at this point in the competition, than there have ever been before.”
“But there can only be one winner,” One Show host Clara Amfo pointed out. Clara herself competed on Strictly back in 2020, finishing in seventh place.
She went on: “And you, Tess Daly, every year, are the person that announces it. As a viewer watching at home, you see you clinging to those cards.”
“Yes, I am – I’m shaking!” Tess admitted, before letting slip a major final-night secret.
Tess reveals Strictly secret
“Often those cards are blank, the winner’s name is not on them,” she revealed.
As Clara and co-presenter Alex Jones gasped, Tess explained exactly why. “We haven’t had time to fill it in. We’ve got the result and myself and Claud are cantering into our positions – in heels – on the floor, ready to reveal the winner. Often, it’s coming into my earpiece at the very last second.”
She added: “I’m very nervous in case it doesn’t come, because everyone’s got bated breath and live, our lovely producer is telling me who the winner is.”
Tess went on to reflect on the pressure of the moment, saying: “I’ve had 23 champions, we’ve had 23 series in the 21 years, and 23 champions have been fed into that ear. Thankfully, I’ve never got it wrong. It’s a lot of pressure.”
Laughing as the presenters warned her not to tempt fate, Tess joked: “Not this time! I shouldn’t have said that, should I?”
Strictly’s Grand Final
You haven’t got long to wait to find out who will be crowned the winner of Strictly Come Dancing 2025.
The Final airs at 7pm on Saturday December 20 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer – and it’s a big one. Viewers should prepare for a bumper episode, with the show running for two hours and 10 minutes and finishing at 9.10pm.
Last year’s champion Chris McCausland will return to the ballroom to hand over the iconic Glitterball Trophy. The big question is which of this year’s finalists will lift it from him.
It’s also set to be an emotional night for Strictly fans, as this marks Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman’s final live show as hosts. While the pair will still appear in the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special on Christmas Day, that episode has been pre-recorded.
Adding to the emotion, rumours suggest Tess and Claud may take to the dancefloor themselves for a final farewell in the ballroom. If true, tissues will definitely be required – and fans won’t want to miss a second.
Read More: BBC shuts down reports Strictly Come Dancing is moving to Manchester
