Former England footballer Karen Carney and professional dancer Carlos Gu have been crowned winners of the 2025 series of Strictly Come Dancing, making history in the process. Carney, 38, becomes the first football player to lift the glitterball trophy, while Gu, 32, is the first openly gay and Asian man to win the BBC One dance programme.
The pair defeated West End actor Amber Davies and social media personality George Clarke in Saturday’s final. Following the announcement, Carney said: “I can’t believe it. I just want to say thank you to everybody that has supported our journey.” Gu added: “To the girls and boys watching at home, dream big and be proud and never give up.”
The final also marked the last time Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman co-hosted the live weekend show together, after announcing their departure in October. Daly has hosted for 21 years and Winkleman for 11. A video tribute was played for the duo, and judge Craig Revel Horwood read a message from Queen Camilla, who praised their “warmth, compassion and sheer happiness”.
During the final, Carney and Gu performed three dances, including a Peaky Blinders-inspired Argentine tango that earned a perfect score of 40. They also performed a show dance to Inner Smile by Texas, scoring 37, and a football-themed jive to One Way or Another by Blondie as their favourite dance.
Daly and Winkleman will return for a pre-recorded festive special on Christmas Day, which will be their last appearance as a presenting duo.
