Strictly host Tess Daly parties with cast, crew and daughter Phoebe at boozy series wrap party
Champers and karaoke as the presenter bows out
Tess Daly waved goodbye to Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday night with her gorgeous daughter Phoebe Kay by her side as she was sent off in style at the series wrap party.
Tess’ husband Vernon Kay and daughters Phoebe, 21, and Amber, 16, were in the audience as the presenter signed off her final show. Then, after an emotional Saturday night for the cast and crew of the BBC dance show, the family celebrated in style.
Tess, 56, even led the crew in a rousing rendition of Three Lions (Football’s Coming Home) to celebrate Karen Carney’s Glitterball win and the end of her glittering Strictly career.
Raucous Strictly Come Dancing wrap party
The party took place at Elstree Studios, Hertfordshire, where the glitzy BBC One competition was filmed. Cast and crew reportedly got stuck into the free bar, with Tess leading the party charge.
“She led the singing of Three Lions in honour of Karen,” an insider told The Sun. “Everyone was in great form and keen to have a good time. It was poignant that they were dismantling the show’s dance floor as the party went on.”
Kay family party the night away
Joining Tess for her last hurrah was husband Vernon Kay, 51, and daughters, Phoebe and Amber.
Phoebe took to Instagram to pay tribute to her mum and shared a further glimpse into the celebrations. She posed for pictures with runners-up Amber Davies and George Clarke and danced with Anton Du Beke.
Phoebe also shared a snap with winner Carlos Gu as he partied in his dressing gown, and pranced around backstage singing into a fake microphone with her pal, posting the videos on TikTok.
“Wow. What an incredible Strictly Come Dancing final last night,” she said.
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Strictly Come Dancing star Tess’ family pay tribute
Phoebe added: “The love and joy Strictly creates is something magical and I’m so lucky to have seen my mum work with the absolute best people. Last night was definitely an emotional one, but most importantly it was a celebration of the show and the 21 years mum has been doing it.
“Mum you are a true inspiration to me I will hold all these Strictly memories close to my heart forever. It’s been in my life since the day mum was pregnant with me so I don’t know life without Strictly and for that reason I will forever be the shows number one fan.”
Tess and Phoebe were seen leaving the party together, seated next to each other in the car. Vernon and Amber, meanwhile, left together, with Amber hiding her face from photographers and Vernon sitting next to a huge gift hamper.
Elsewhere, co-host Claudia Winkleman is said to have popped in for a drink, before the party wrapped at 1am. She was seen leaving in a car on her own.
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Tess Daly bids goodbye to Strictly following wrap party
Meanwhile, Tess paid her own emotional goodbye to the series on socials.
“So that’s a wrap. What an incredible final – fitting for what, for me, has been an absolutely brilliant series,” she said. “Strictly is a show that is made with love, where joy is the currency and the only agenda.
“I will be forever grateful for the unforgettable years I have spent sharing this magical show with you. I’ll miss the Strictly viewers, because they are the very best, the most loyal and supportive, and as passionate about the show as I have always been. It has been the most wonderful privilege to have shared it with you all for so many years.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the memories of a lifetime.”
Karen Carney and Carlos Gu celebrate
The pro dancers were also seen celebrating the end of the series. Nadiya Bychkova and Vito Coppola waved enthusiastically at photographers as they left, while a merry head judge Shirley Ballas flashed peace signs.
Elsewhere, Anton Du Beke flashed a grin at photographers as he drove off. Ellie Goldstein was also seen leaving the party, giving a beaming smile as her mum sat behind the wheel.
Meanwhile, new Strictly champion Carlos Gu was spotted holding hands with 2015 Strictly Come Dancing winner, Jay McGuiness, as he left the studio.
Earlier on in the night, he’d celebrated with judge Motsi Mabuse, eating pizza and drinking champagne in the corridors of Elstree. Amy Dowden also shared pictures from the finale. She posted pictures with Tess, Ellie Goldstein and Aljaz backstage.
‘I can’t believe that was our last time dancing together’
Taking to Instagram the morning after the night before, Strictly winner Karen shared a heartwarming tribute to Carlos, saying: “It has been so incredibly special being on this journey with you right until the end.
“Last night was a celebration and I’m so grateful we could experience that together – you were all incredible! Thank you for being some of the loveliest, most caring people I’ve ever met.
“From start to finish sharing the dance floor with you has been the biggest honour. I can’t believe that was our last time dancing together. But I’m so thankful I have friends for life in all of you.”
You’ll catch Tess and Claudia one last time on Strictly for the Christmas special. It airs on BBC One on Christmas Day at 5.30pm
Read more: Zoe Ball ‘in the mix’ for Strictly Come Dancing presenting role
