URGENT UPDATE: The highly anticipated Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special aired on December 25, 2025, captivating audiences as it marked an emotional farewell for beloved hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. Fans declared a stunning Argentine Tango performance by Daly and professional dancer Alijaz as their “TV highlight of 2025.”
This Christmas special features six prominent celebrities, including TV personality Scarlett Moffatt, All Saints singer Melanie Blatt, Gladiator Jodie Ounsley, EastEnders actor Nicholas Bailey, comedian Babatunde Aléshé, and Irish singer-songwriter Brian McFadden. Each pair danced in hopes of winning the coveted festive trophy, with the judges—Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke, and Head Judge Shirley Ballas—watching closely.
The Christmas Day special was produced by BBC Studios and showcased a series of festive dances, but it was the heartfelt moment of Tess and Alijaz performing the Argentine Tango that stole the show. Viewers took to social media, with one fan on X, formerly Twitter, exclaiming, “Tess Daly dancing an Argentine Tango with Alijaz has just become my TV highlight of 2025. INCREDIBLE! #Strictly #StrictlyComeDancing.”
This year’s Christmas celebration comes on the heels of the 2025 champions being crowned just days before. Karen Carney and Carlos Gu triumphed in a thrilling series, which featured memorable performances from celebrities like Balvinder Sopal and Amber Davies.
The emotional farewell of Daly and Winkleman, who have hosted the show for years, added a poignant layer to the episode. In a joint statement on Instagram, they expressed their gratitude, saying hosting “had been an absolute dream.” They acknowledged the bittersweet nature of their departure, stating, “We will cry when we say the last ‘keep dancing’ but we will continue to say it to each other.”
Social media buzzed with reactions as fans reminisced about their time on the show. Many expressed hopes that Tess might return as a contestant next year, with one user joking, “Plot twist: Tess Daly is leaving Strictly to come back next year as a contestant.”
The Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special was filmed on December 9 and is now available to stream on BBC iPlayer. It not only delivered festive cheer but also served as a memorable send-off for two icons of the show. Don’t miss the chance to experience this emotional finale and the dazzling performances that have left viewers talking.
