Standing ovation as the perfect pair take a bow

TESS Daly wiped away tears as she and Claudia Winkleman filmed their last ever episode of Strictly.The show’s Christmas special will air after the final of this series.

- BY NICOLA METHVEN

But it has already been filmed - and it was clear Tess realised it was the last viewers would see of her.

One audience member, speaking after the recording on Tuesday night, said there was a lot of emotion at the end of the show.

They said: “Tess and Claudia looked pretty choked as they grabbed each other’s hands and said this was the final time they were ever going to say ‘keeeeep dancing!’

“They were fighting hard to hold it together but it was clear they were saying that iconic catchphrase with more emotion than ever before. Tess was wiping away tears afterwards.