In a dazzling and emotional conclusion to a tumultuous series, Strictly Come Dancing 2025 crowned its champion on Saturday night. After a finale filled with spectacular routines and heartfelt goodbyes, former England footballer Karen Carney and her professional partner Carlos Gu were voted the winners by the British public.
A Historic Victory on the Dance Floor
The 38-year-old sports broadcaster's triumph is historic, making her the first-ever footballer to claim the Glitter Ball trophy. Her win also marks a first for pro dancer Carlos Gu, who joined the BBC show in 2022. They beat fellow finalists, social media star George Clarke with partner Alexis Warr, and West End performer Amber Davies with Nikita Kuzmin.
An overwhelmed Karen said after the result: "I can’t believe it. I just want to say thank you to everybody that has supported our journey." Turning to Carlos, she added, "Thank you to this wonderful gentleman. We are a team, and I couldn’t have done it without you." A visibly emotional Carlos replied, "You changed my life," before encouraging viewers at home to "dream big and be proud and never give up."
A Finale of High Emotion and Farewells
The grand final on December 20, 2025, saw each couple perform three times: their favourite dance, a judges' pick, and a show-stopping show dance. Karen and Carlos chose their Week 1 jive to Blondie, refined their Peaky Blinders Argentine Tango, and performed a show dance to Texas.
The night was also a poignant send-off for hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who confirmed this series would be their last. Struggling with emotion, they told viewers hosting had been an "absolute privilege." In a surprise moment, judge Craig Revel Horwood read a personal message from Queen Camilla, who praised the duo as "fab-u-lous."
A 'Cursed' Series Reaches Its End
The 2025 run of Strictly has been dubbed the 'most cursed series ever' due to an unprecedented number of withdrawals. A series of injuries forced out contestants including Dani Dyer, Stefan Dennis, and La Voix, leading to the unusual three-person final. The finale also saw the return of most of this year's cast, though Thomas Skinner was notably absent amid his reported feud with the BBC.
With Karen and Carlos now in the Strictly Hall of Fame, speculation turns to 2026. Questions remain over which presenting duo will replace Tess and Claudia, and which professional dancers will return, but bosses have confirmed the show will not be moving from its London home to Greater Manchester.
