Tess Daly has co-hosted Strictly Come Dancing since it began in 2004, but she’s only once been spotted on the dancefloor – and she had her own unique way of summing up the moment
You know it’s getting closer to Christmas when Strictly Come Dancing is back on our screens. Hoping to lift the glitterball trophy this year is an array of famous faces including Vicky Pattison, Ellie Goldstein, Stefan Dennis, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Balvinder Sopal. Sadly, reality TV star Dani Dyer had to pull out of the show with an ankle injury, and was replaced by another reality favourite, Amber Davies.
Some pro dancers have again been left without a partner and got ‘benched’ this year, including Neil Jones, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, Michelle Tsiakkas and a “disappointed” Nancy Xu.
But everyone’s already got their sparkling outfits on and shimmed onto the dancefloor in front of the famous judges and co-presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. And from now on, anything could happen.
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Tess has always been a picture of professionalism. Whether presenting Strictly alongside the late TV legend Bruce Forsyth or Claudia Winkleman since 2014, she effortlessly brings all the sparkle and glamour into our homes every Saturday night. Despite Tess, 55, and Claudia, 52, famously ending each show with a near-dance and the iconic phrase, “Keep dancing!”, Tess has never graced the Strictly dance floor to showcase her own moves. Viewers could be forgiven for thinking Tess has never danced on TV, reports OK!.
However, they’d be mistaken – as true Tess fans will recall her participation in a unique Strictly special for Children In Need. Back in 2008, Tess was hosting the BBC charity appeal with stars like Fearne Cotton, Alesha Dixon and John Barrowman.
With that year’s theme being ‘doing something different’, Tess competed in a Strictly dance-off against Terry Wogan – where she was paired with Anton Du Beke – performing an American smooth to Shirley Bassey’s Hey Big Spender. Meanwhile, Terry was partnered with professional dancer Flavia Cacace, performing a waltz to Lionel Richie’s Three Times A Lady.
In her dance routine, Tess was seen donning a long, white dress with gold detailing, coupled with evening gloves, while Anton sported a classic tuxedo with a white bow tie. Tess started with her back to the audience, but spun around to cheers and applause, before Anton guided her down a small flight of steps onto the dance floor.
The climax of their performance saw him lift her high into the air, to thunderous applause. As they stood before the judging panel, which included Craig Revel Horwood, Arlene Phillips, Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli, Tess was spotted fanning herself, clearly out of breath.
Commenting on the performance, the late former head judge Len said: “What I’m looking for in an American smooth is what I’ve just seen.” Craig added: “I hate to be the bearer of bad news – you could have done without that lift at the end. But, I thought you did it beautifully.”
Ultimately, Tess scored 36 points, beating Terry’s 29 points. If viewers were left wondering why Tess doesn’t flaunt her dancing skills more often, she confessed that participating had been “more nerve wracking than giving birth”.
In a previous interview with The Guardian, Tess Daly revealed her dream Strictly dance would be the Argentine tango, but admitted she’d likely struggle. Recalling her terrifying experience on the Children In Need special, she said: “In my dreams, I’d start with an Argentine tango and nail it. But in reality, I’d probably be rubbish. I once danced with Anton du Beke against the late, great Terry Wogan on the Children in Need version of Strictly. At least I know why the contestants are always licking their lips. Your mouth goes dry with fear.”
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