In a glittering and emotional finale, sports broadcaster Karen Carney has been crowned the champion of Strictly Come Dancing 2025, making history as the first footballer to ever win the BBC dance competition.
A Historic Victory on the Dancefloor
Carney and her professional partner, Carlos Gu, triumphed in the 23rd series of the show on Saturday night, 20th December 2025. They defeated fellow finalists, West End actress Amber Davies and internet personality George Clarke, to claim the coveted Glitterball trophy. In a heartfelt Instagram post following her win, Carney praised her fellow competitors, stating that "sharing the dance floor with you has been the biggest honour."
Her victory was doubly historic. Not only did Carney become the first footballer to win, but her partner, Carlos Gu, also made history as the first gay and Asian male professional to claim the title.
Farewell to a Legendary Hosting Duo
The final was charged with emotion as it marked the last live Saturday show for presenting icons Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who have fronted the programme together for a decade. The show paid tribute with a special video montage featuring messages from notable figures, including TV cook Mary Berry. Judge Craig Revel Horwood read a personal letter from Queen Camilla, who commended the pair for their "warmth, compassion and sheer happiness."
After the broadcast, Daly posted on Instagram, calling the show "made with love" and expressing her gratitude to the "most loyal and supportive" viewers. The duo will make one final appearance together in a pre-recorded Strictly festive special airing on Christmas Day.
Finalists Share Emotional Tributes
The other finalists were quick to share their reflections on the journey. Runner-up George Clarke posted a lengthy statement thanking his professional partner, Alexis Warr, for helping him "discover some belief" in himself. He also praised the entire Strictly family and the departing hosts, calling Daly and Winkleman "nothing short of incredible."
Warr reciprocated the sentiment on social media, thanking Clarke for becoming a "friend for life." The final itself featured spectacular group performances from the 2025 cast, the professional dancers, and a musical act from the band Five.
Controversy and Official Response
Not all post-finale commentary was celebratory. The first celebrity to be eliminated this series, The Apprentice star Thomas Skinner, used social media platform X hours before the final to claim his elimination was "rigged." He alleged receiving an anonymous email from someone claiming to be a BBC executive, stating he had received more votes than was shown.
The BBC issued a firm response, stating: "Strictly Come Dancing’s public vote is independently overseen and verified to ensure complete accuracy every week. Any claims to the contrary are entirely without foundation." PromoVeritas, the company that independently verifies the vote, confirmed all votes were validated and reported no issues.
As the glitter settles on the 2025 series, Strictly Come Dancing celebrates not only a groundbreaking new champion but also bids a fond farewell to the hosting partnership that defined an era of Saturday night entertainment.
