'Strictly Come Dancing' Hosts Reveal Golden Rule They Must Follow on the Last Show – Video

The pair have revealed the one rule they must follow on their final Strictly Come Dancing show, and it's more emotional than you think. Here's how the duo are bowing out.

As Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman prepare to sign off from "Strictly Come Dancing" for the final time, the iconic presenting duo have revealed the rule they've been given ahead of their emotional farewell.

Daly, 56, and Winkleman, 53, are set to host the BBC One dance competition's grand finale on Saturday, December 20, 2025 — marking the end of an era after more than two decades of dazzling live shows, backstage banter, and glitter-filled weekends.

Despite the weight of the moment, the pair confirmed on an episode of "It Takes Two," which aired on December 10, 2025, that they've been told to hold back the tears. Daly stated:

"We're not allowed to cry."

Winkleman echoed the sentiment with, "We're not." However, she admitted that once the cameras stop rolling, they will "hold each other very tight and cry." But, while they may keep their emotions in check during the live broadcast, a heartfelt "best bits" montage is expected to put their composure to the test.

A television insider described the segment as a deeply personal tribute, adding, "Tess and Claudia have shared so many special memories — there will not be a dry eye on the dancefloor with the special montage spanning over 20 years."

In the weeks since their announcement, speculation has been mounting over who will step in to fill their high-heeled shoes.

"It will be a heightened evening and hugely emotional for the cast and crew as they mark the end of an era," the source added, hinting at surprises planned for the pair's send-off, alongside a celebration of their contribution to the show.

Daly, who has presented the show since its launch in 2004, and Winkleman, who joined as a co-host in 2014, first announced their joint departure in October. In a shared statement, they said they had always intended to leave together and "now feels like the right time."

Speaking on "It Takes Two," Daly admitted the reality of leaving hasn't sunk in. "I genuinely haven't had time to think about it," she said, adding:

"Because we've been so into this series, so absorbed by such a brilliant series that all my focus is on that really, so I think it's gonna be a shock on the 20th. I might get emotional."

Although the finale will be the final studio show the pair host, they'll return to screens one last time for the "Strictly Come Dancing" Christmas special, which is being recorded ahead of the holiday and will air on December 25, 2025.

In the weeks since their announcement, speculation has been mounting over who will step in to fill their high-heeled shoes. While the BBC has yet to comment, bookmakers and fans alike have been tossing names into the ring.

Roman Kemp, AJ Odudu, Alan Carr, and Hannah Waddingham have all emerged as potential candidates, while former spin-off hosts Rylan Clark and Zoe Ball, as well as current presenter Fleur East, are also in the conversation.

Adding fuel to the speculation, Winkleman is reportedly in advanced talks with the BBC for a new chat show, though nothing has been confirmed. As she quipped earlier in the series, "It's best to leave a party before you're fully ready to go."

For viewers and colleagues alike, Daly and Winkleman's departure marks more than the end of a chapter — it signals the close of a partnership that helped define "Strictly Come Dancing's" golden years.

Come Saturday night, the sequins will sparkle a little brighter, and while the rule is not to cry, few would blame them if they did.