Archive December 14, 2025

Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman burst into tears during an emotional Strictly Come Dancing moment.

The judges, including a tearful Shirley Ballas, bid an early farewell to the hosts as they prepare to quit the show. Earlier this year, Strictly fans were blindsided when Tess and Claudia announced the 2025 season would be their last.

And on Sunday night, emotions ran high as the judges realised the hosts were presenting their last results show ever – and it would be the final time they would all sit in the ‘Claudatorium’ together. Tess was left in shock as judge Craig Revel Horwood called her down onto the ballroom floor and then led her up to the greenroom.

The seemingly unrehearsed moment had Claudia and Tess both looking around in surprise as they questioned what was happening. Craig then sat Tess down beside Claudia as they took in the fact that the hosts were presiding over their last ever results show.

The duo wiped away tears as Craig and the other judges thanked them for the work they had done over the past years, with Tess being part of the show since it first began in 2004, while Claudia joined the team in 2014. Craig also joked that he was most grateful to Claudia for all the dresses she had lent him over the year, and that Tess hosted the best pizza parties behind the scenes of the studio set show.

A highlights reel documented the best bits of both Tess and Claudia’s time on Strictly – and featured moving footage of the late Sir Bruce Forsyth, who originally co-hosted Strictly alongside Tess before retiring from the show in 2014. The presenting icon later died in 2017, leaving the Strictly crew devastated.

On Sunday night, viewers watched as Tess and Claudia were awarded Glitterball Trophies of their own as they celebrated their last result show. And fans watching at home took to social media to share their own sadness as Strictly reached a significant milestone.

One fan lamented on X: “In tears at that Tess and Claudia bit #strictly,” adding crying face emojis to their post. While another remarked: “@ClaudiaWinkle & @TessDaly Last results show for them both tonight! I don’t think it will be the same without them, especially Claudia!”

Another commented: “Already in tears at #strictly we’ll all miss Claudia & Tess.” And a further, disbelieving fan, wrote: “The fact this is Tess and Claudia’s last results show genuinely I can’t see anybody coming close to them next year. Even the list I’ve seen, I’m like meh #strictly.”

Other fans commented on the fact that the show would not be the same without Tess and Claudia when the show returns in 2026. One wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: “It’s always sad when we get to this endpoint of #Strictly, and it’s the last of everything.” And another typed: “Well, #Strictly has me in tears! End of an era. #Strictly #Strictlycomedancing #scd.”

Claudia and Tess shocked fans in October when they abruptly announced they had decided to quit Strictly. The 2025 season was already underway, and they said in a statement that they felt the time had come for them to walk away from the show.

Appearing back in the ballroom after announcing their plans to exit at the end of the year, the duo addressed their plans to move on with fans. Claudia explained: “We want to thank you for your beautiful messages. We’ve got another eight weeks, but it’s not about us. It’s about this incredible show and a Strictly champion to crown.”

And Tess added at the time: “We cannot wait to spend the rest of the series with you, our incredible couples and these four.” Fans watching the 2025 season now have less than a week to find out who will triumph after EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal and Australian dance partner Julian Caillon were booted off the show after failing a dance-off against Love Island star Amber Davies and dancer Nikita Kuzmin.

Amber and Nikita survived to confront social media star George Clarke, dancer Alexis Warr, footballer Karen Carney, and her dance partner Carlos Gu in the 2025 final. The last episode of the season will air on BBC One and via iPlayer on Saturday 20 December at 7pm.

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Reality star and model Danielle Mason has revealed that former This Morning anchor Eamonn Holmes reached out to her several weeks ago following the death of her father

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Eamonn Holmes reached out to reality star Danielle Mason after the death of her father. Her dad, Ronald, died in October this year after a courageous 12-year-long fight against leukaemia.

At the time of announcing Ronald’s death, Danielle, 42, said she had “never felt pain like this”. Now, Danielle, the sister of EastEnders legend Jessie Wallace, is facing the heartbreak of her first Christmas without her dad, who was married to her mum Annette for over four decades.

But while she’s currently dealing with her grief, Danielle explained that GB News and former This Morning anchor, Eamonn Holmes and Linda Robson, reached out to her on Instagram following Ronald’s death. She hopes speaking openly will help others who feel the same ache. “Christmas is really hard this year,” she admits. “I’ve got two children, so I have to keep things normal for them. My dad wouldn’t want Christmas cancelled. But my mum Annette doesn’t feel like putting a tree up – after 45 years of marriage, she’s suddenly on her own. I get why she can’t face it.”

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But Danielle admits she “needs” to put her tree up for her Children, admitting: “I don’t want them to miss out on their Christmas celebrations just because my dad’s passed away – he wouldn’t want that either.” She added: “My mum has her moments where we sit and talk and laugh, but then we can be crying the next minute. I am finding it very hard, but I’m starting to be able to function despite the grief constantly lingering in my mind. It feels like a wound that can open up at any time.”

Danielle is doing her best to support everyone around her, even while grieving herself. “I feel like I’ve had to be the strong one,” she says. “I don’t want to offload onto my mum because she’s hurting so much. My sisters have been a massive support – they’ve really helped hold things together. We lean on each other a lot.”

Danielle is doing her best to support everyone around her, even while grieving herself.“I feel like I’ve had to be the strong one,” she says. “I don’t want to offload onto my mum because she’s hurting so much. My sisters have been a massive support – they’ve really helped hold things together. We lean on each other a lot.”

The weeks following her father’s death were especially overwhelming. She’s found comfort in unexpected places – including the TV show she appeared on before her dad passed. “Being on The Masked Singer charity fundraiser with Pat Sharpe and other celebrities earlier this year is something my dad was so proud of.”

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Danielle smiles. “People still message me about it, saying how much they enjoyed it. It sounds small, but those messages really lift you when you’re grieving. We had to wait five weeks for the funeral, and I kept going to see him because I needed to know he was at peace,” she explains. “I thought I was coping, but when the funeral finally happened, it hit me harder than I expected. Then when they called to say his ashes were ready, the grief just started again. It comes in waves.

”The strain has affected her physically.“My panic attacks have come back. They just hit out of nowhere,” she says. “Grief brings everything to the surface.”But what has surprised Danielle most is the kindness of others. “The online community has honestly kept me going,” she says. “People I’ve never met have shared their own stories of losing a parent. It makes you realise you’re not the only one dreading Christmas. There’s so much comfort in feeling understood.”

She’s also been touched by support from well-known faces, including her GB News colleague Eamonn Holmes. “Eamonn messaged me, which meant so much,” Danielle shared. “He knows what grief is like, and he took the time to send such kind words. It reminded me how many people go through this.”

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Little keepsakes and spiritual signs bring her moments of peace.“I had some of the funeral flowers set into a resin ornament so I’ll always have them,” she says. “I cut a lock of my dad’s hair, and I’m having a necklace made with some of his ashes. And I’ve started noticing feathers and robins again. It might sound strange, but I take comfort in believing it’s him.”

Despite everything, Danielle is trying to move gently forward.“I’d like to start working again because keeping busy helps, but I’m not rushing it,” she says. “I’m just taking each day as it comes.”

Her hope is that by sharing her experience, others will feel less isolated. “Grief is love that doesn’t know where to go,” Danielle says. “Some days it’s quiet, some days it hits you like a fresh cut. But you learn ways to cope. And when you realise how many people are going through the same thing at Christmas, you don’t feel so alone.”

She added: “The waiting period for my father’s funeral was hard. I needed to see him for closure, but it affected me deeply. When I was informed that his ashes were ready, it struck me hard again: I wouldn’t see his face again. It’s been a cycle of emotions, and while I try to move forward, I often find myself thinking about what-ifs in his care that can lead to panic attacks resurfacing. Grief is love that has nowhere to go. Many out there experience the same pain, and I often wonder if they’re dreading Christmas as well.

“I find comfort in speaking to others who are navigating similar experiences. Many I’ve met online understand and share this journey, offering support. Friends have also been really good to me, and a couple of them have been through it too, which makes it easier. I feel like I can’t go to my mum because I have to support her, and it ends up being quite stressful.

“The whole family has been affected, but we came together for the funeral. I take comfort in my friends; I trust them to understand what I’m going through while I need to be strong for my mum. It’s what my dad would want. I feel lucky to have been there for him at the end, but that doesn’t make it easier. Grief is never easy, but we can help and support one another. As you navigate this season, remember that creating new traditions or sweet memories can honour your loved one beautifully.”

The Macmillan Support Line offers confidential support to people living with cancer and their loved ones. If you need to talk, call us on 0808 808 0000.

If you have been affected by this story, Cruse Bereavement Support offers free help to make sense of how you are feeling. Click here for their website or call 0808 808 1677.

Reality star Sam Vanderpump and pregnant fashion model Alice Yaxley are now husband and wife after swapping vows at the Chelsea Registry Office in front of family and friends

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Reality star Sam Vanderpump has married Alice Yaxley amid his ongoing health battle. The Made in Chelsea star – who is the nephew of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Lisa Vanderpump – and fashion model Alice enjoyed an “intimate” celebration as they became husband and wife on Sunday.

The pair, who became engaged in March this year, are also due to become parents, with a baby set to arrive in February. Sam, 28, who was born with rare health conditions which have severely damaged his kidneys, wore a pristine white tuxedo as he swapped vows with Alice, 24, who dazzled in a sleeveless wedding gown.

The young couple said “I do” while joined by close friends and family at the Chelsea Registry Office. The pair beamed as they exited the public government building and as guests showered them with confetti. Their nearest and dearest cheered, applauded and smiled as the new Mr and Mrs Vanderpump made their way down the steps.

READ MORE: ‘Perfect’ Christmas Day dress that shoppers will ‘wear for years to come’ now £28READ MORE: Sam Vanderpump breaks down over fear he may ‘never see son’

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Other guests were well-dressed, wearing striking crimson red suits and sharp black tuxedos among the company. And passersby joined in with the celebrations, cheering for the couple as they made their way to the reception area.

One insider told the Daily Mail – who published photos of the couple exiting their service: “Sam and Alice’s ceremony was very small and intimate, but still gorgeous. They’re calling it ‘the start of our marriage’. Sam told Alice from the moment they met that life would never be boring with him, and so far, he’s delivered on that promise.

“Their baby is due on Valentine’s Day, so they’re set for a very exciting start to the New Year and to married life together.” And the couple also posed for glossy photographs, for Hello! Magazine.

Earlier this year, Sam revealed that he may only have four or five years left to live as health issues he has had since birth developed into an irreversible condition. He explained that he had been told he had developed end-stage liver disease and would need a transplant in order to prolong his life.

He was born with the conditions congenital hepatic fibrosis of the liver and polycystic kidney disease; however, they had been dormant. He was hospitalised with sepsis at the end of last year, and his body began shutting down.

Expressing his hope that a transplant will help him overcome his health issues, he said earlier this year: “In all truth, a liver transplant is extremely successful. So I’m going to be here for my son. I know that. And there are those fears. But you know, the context is I’m healthy now. My liver might not be good for four or five years.

“But I’m going to have this liver transplant, and everything’s going to be fine. I will live a long, happy life.” Sam and Alice have previously opened up about their hope to have a second wedding celebration in May next year once their child has arrived.

They have also explained that they plan to call their son Marmaduke, and the couple have also previously discussed their excitement about starting a family together. Alice previously explained: “We were always going to have our big wedding that was going to take a few years to plan, but the baby changed that… I think it’s nice that we’ll all have the same last name together.”

And gushing over his now wife, Sam previously explained their lust to get married following a whirlwind romance after realising they wanted to spend their futures together. He said: “I knew from the moment I met Alice that, if I was lucky enough, she’d be the girl I was going to marry, but I felt you couldn’t do that after six or 12 months.”

He went on to explain his health battle helped him take action to secure a happy future, explaining: “But after nearly dying, it put everything into perspective. Any second, anything can happen in life. I love her to pieces. I want to marry her. Why wait two years?”