Tess Daly Celebrates Guinness Record Before Leaving Strictly Come Dancing

Tess Daly, the beloved host of the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, received a significant accolade recently as she was presented with a Guinness World Record for being the longest-serving presenter of a dance competition show. The 56-year-old television personality is preparing to conclude her remarkable journey with the programme after a stellar 21-year tenure.

Daly has been a consistent figure on Strictly Come Dancing since its inception in 2004, beginning her hosting duties alongside the late Bruce Forsyth. Forsyth, who passed away in 2017, remained with Daly until 2013, when Claudia Winkleman stepped into his role as co-presenter.

During a recent appearance on The One Show, Daly was visibly moved when Will, an official from Guinness World Records, announced her record-breaking achievement. He stated: “No, Tess, you have achieved the Guinness World Record title for the longest-serving host of the same dance competition TV show for 21 years and 216 days.” Tess expressed her surprise and excitement, humorously adding, “I think my kids might finally think I’m cool now. That is… it’s amazing! Thank you so much.”

Emotional Farewell and Tributes

The announcement of Daly’s record coincided with an emotional tribute during a recent results show, which left both her and Winkleman in tears. The pair had previously announced in October 2023 that they would be stepping down as co-hosts, making the current series their final one together. To celebrate their contributions, a special tribute was organized featuring heartfelt messages from the judging panel, which includes Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke.

During the tribute, the judges surprised the co-hosts with a video montage that highlighted their most memorable moments. Craig Revel Horwood remarked, “We just want to tell you how much we’re going to miss you and how much we love you to bits.” He also added a light-hearted note, thanking Winkleman for her fashion contributions and Daly for the pizza parties in her dressing room.

As they watched the montage, both Daly and Winkleman were clearly emotional. Claudia expressed, “We love you, we’re so lucky,” to which Tess responded, “You guys are like family to us, and we’ll always think that about you all. We’ve had the most amazing time.”

Looking Ahead

As Strictly Come Dancing prepares to air its next episode on Saturday at 18:55 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, viewers will undoubtedly feel the impact of Daly and Winkleman’s departure. Their combined warmth and charisma have defined the show for over two decades, and their exit marks the end of an era for the BBC’s flagship dance competition.

With this Guinness World Record in hand, Tess Daly leaves behind a legacy that will resonate with fans and future generations of presenters and dancers.