Tess Daly was overcome with emotion on Thursday when she was awarded the Guinness World Record for the longest-serving host of the same dance competition.
The presenter, 56, is set to bow out of Strictly Come Dancing with her co-host Claudia Winkleman after 21 years and 216 days on air.
Tess has been part of the series since it’s very first episode back in 2004 where she presented alongside the late Bruce Forsyth.
Sir Bruce – who died in 2017 – starred alongside her until his retirement in 2013, when Claudia then took over.
Appearing on The One Show with hosts Clara Amfo and Alex Jones, they were joined by Guinness World Record representative, Will, who shared the news.
He said: ‘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 Daly was overcome with emotion on Thursday when she was awarded the Guinness World Record for the longest-serving host of the same dance competition
The presenter, 56, is set to bow out of Strictly Come Dancing with her co-host Claudia Winkleman after 21 years and 216 days on air
Tess exclaimed: ‘No way! I think my kids might finally think I’m cool now. That is… it’s amazing! Thank you so much.’
Sharing the news to The One Show’s official Instagram, they wrote: ‘Tess Daly is awarded the Guinness World Records title for the longest-serving host of the same dance competition TV show!’
It comes after Tess and Claudia struggled to hold back their tears as they were surprised with an emotional tribute during Sunday’s results show.
The two presenters announced in October that they were stepping down as hosts of the BBC show together, with the current series to be their last.
And in honour of their time on the dancing competition, the judging panel surprised the duo with a moving video compilation of all their best bits.
Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke joined Claudia in the Clauditorium for a debrief ahead of the results of the public vote.
But they then called on Tess to join them, as Craig revealed the judges wanted to take the opportunity to pay them tribute, saying: ‘We just want to tell you how much we’re going to miss you and how much we love you to bits.’
He then quipped: ‘I personally, want to say thank you Clauds for the dresses and the shoes you’ve thrown my way and to you Tess, for all the pizza parties in your dressing room’.
Appearing on The One Show with hosts Clara Amfo and Alex Jones, they were joined by Guinness World Record representative, Will, who shared the news
Tess exclaimed: ‘No way! I think my kids might finally think I’m cool now. That is… it’s amazing! Thank you so much’
Strictly’s Claudia and Tess struggled to hold back their tears as they were surprised with an emotional tribute during Sunday’s results show
Among the clips of the two friends joking about together, there were also clips of legendary Strictly host Bruce Forsyth , from his first episode with Tess back in 2004 (seen)
A touched Tess and Claudia then became choked-up as they were presented with a VT of their time on the show, with comments from each of the judges.
‘Between the two of them, they are magic,’ Shirley declared. ‘They showed me the ropes and cared about me and I for sure am going to miss them deeply.’
And Anton and Craig poked fun at the duo’s poor dancing abilities, with Anton joking: ‘After all these years and neither of them learned a step of dancing.’
While Craig chimed in: ‘I know one thing, without a doubt, they will keep dancing… badly.’
Among the clips of the two friends joking about together, there were also clips of legendary Strictly host Bruce Forsyth, from his first episode with Tess back in 2004.
And watching the montage, Tess and Claudia were overcome by emotion, as Claudia gushed: ‘We love you, we’re so lucky. It’s been an honour!’
While Tess added: ‘You guys are like family to us, and we’re always think that about you all. We’ve had the most amazing time.’
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