Comedian and actor Chris McCausland has warmly congratulated his neighbour, former footballer Karen Carney, after she triumphed in the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 final on Saturday night. The 48-year-old, who won the competition himself last year, expressed his delight at seeing Carney, 38, lift the coveted glitterball trophy with her professional partner, Carlos Gu, 32.
A Local Victory for the Glitterball
Taking to social media platform X following the emotional BBC finale, McCausland joked about being pleased the famous trophy was 'staying local', as Carney now lives just around the corner from him. The comedian, who has been blind since his twenties, clinched the title in 2024 with partner Dianne Buswell, 36.
'What a legend Kaz is!' McCausland wrote in his post. 'We used to be next door neighbours and now she lives around the corner. Delighted she is keeping the glitter ball local! And well done to lovely Carlos as well! And the world moves on…'
An Emotional Finale and Royal Tribute
The 2025 series concluded with a spectacular final where each of the remaining couples performed three times: a judges' choice, their show dance, and their favourite routine. When hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announced Carney as the winner, the former England international was left completely speechless, embracing her partner Carlos in shock.
'I cannot believe it,' a stunned Carney said on stage. 'I just wanna say thank you to everybody that's supported our journey... and thank you to this wonderful gentleman [Carlos]. We are a team, and I could not have done this without you.'
Later, on her official Instagram, a beaming Carney held the glitterball aloft with Carlos, telling fans: 'Hi everybody! We did it! We can't, I honestly, we can't believe it, but we just want to say thank you so, so much for all your support, all your votes, all your kind words.'
A Fond Farewell to Beloved Hosts
The finale also served as a poignant send-off for long-serving hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. Before the winner was revealed, the show aired a special tribute video, followed by a surprise letter from Her Majesty Queen Camilla, read aloud by judge Craig Revel Horwood.
The Queen's letter praised the duo, stating: 'I have often thought that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about friendships... If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the greatest strictly partnership of all.' She commended their 'warmth, compassion, and sheer happiness' and urged them to 'keep dancing'.
Tess Daly, who has fronted the show for a record-breaking 21 years and 216 days, was recently awarded a Guinness World Record for the longest-serving host of the same dance competition. She began presenting Strictly from its first episode in 2004 alongside the late Sir Bruce Forsyth.
