Strictly’s Tess Daly says MBE is the ‘greatest honour’ of her career

Strictly Come Dancing presenter Tess Daly says becoming a member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) is the “greatest honor” of her career and she dedicates it to her late father.

The show’s co-host was awarded the King’s Birthday Honors for his services to broadcasting, receiving the honor at a ceremony at Windsor Castle on Wednesday.

He said he would dedicate the honor to his father because “he would be proud to see his daughter meet the King in a castle.”

Last month, Daly and Strictly co-host Claudia Winkleman, who is also an MBE, announced they would be leaving the BBC One show following the Christmas special. They have been presenting the program together since 2014.

Speaking to reporters after his appointment, Daly said: “This is probably the greatest honor of my career and it still feels quite surreal to be honest with you.

“I’ve been working in television for 25 years and it’s something I absolutely love doing.

“It was a real privilege to be in the same room with people who were making a difference in their communities and building incredible careers. It was a very inspiring environment.”

She attended the ceremony with her husband Vernon Kay and their two children.

He added: “His Majesty reassured me; I was quite nervous.

“We talked about the show and I know the Queen enjoys it.

“He sent me a congratulatory letter when I received the MBE, which means the world.”

Daly and Winkleman announced they would be leaving Strictly in a post on Instagram last month.

The BBC said the duo’s last appearance will be this year’s Christmas special on December 25.

Speaking about his impending departure, Daly said there was “no show like it”.

“I’ll miss it, but I’m looking forward to a Saturday morning bedtime and new adventures in the new year.”

When asked who would replace him, he said: “I have no idea, it’s not up to me.

“I’ll watch it at home with Claudia – we’ll watch the launcher together!”

Daly first appeared on screen in 1999 when she hosted Channel 4’s The Big Breakfast’s Find Me A Model competition.

He has presented Strictly alongside the late Sir Bruce Forsyth since the first series 21 years ago. Winkleman joined in 2014 and has hosted sister show It Takes Two since 2004.

Winkleman and Daly were Saturday night TV’s first prime-time female hosting duo.

The duo took the entertainment show gong at the Bafta TV Awards in 2024.

Daly also hosted the annual charity appeal program BBC Children In Need, which he hosted several times with the late Sir Terry Wogan.

Also present at the investiture was former EastEnders star Anita Dobson, best known for her role as Queen Vic landlady Angie Watts in the BBC soap, who was made an OBE for her services to charity fundraising and philanthropy.

Shadow housing secretary Sir James Cleverly also received the knighthood given to him following Rishi Sunak’s resignation. Hall of Fame and Met Police chief Det Supt Katherine Goodwin, Manhunt for Sarah Everard’s killer He received the King’s Police Medal in 2021.

His investigation led to the conviction of Met police officer Wayne Couzens.