The glittering finale of Strictly Come Dancing 2025 was overshadowed by disappointing news for the BBC, as official figures confirmed a continued decline in viewer numbers. The live broadcast on Sunday, which saw former footballer Karen Carney and her professional partner Carlos Gu crowned champions, failed to reverse a worrying four-year trend of falling ratings.
Audience Numbers Show Steady Decline
Despite a star-studded lineup this series, the final's viewership dipped once again. The show's peak audience was 8.4 million viewers, a significant drop from the 9.3 million who tuned in at the climax of the 2024 final. This marks the fourth consecutive year that the finale's peak ratings have fallen, down from 9.7 million in 2023.
The average audience told a similar story. An average of 7.6 million people watched the 2025 decider, compared to 8.6 million last year and 8.8 million in 2023. The figures represent a fresh blow for the long-running entertainment juggernaut, which has historically dominated Saturday night television.
A Shocking Victory in an Emotional Finale
Amid the ratings concern, the show itself delivered a dramatic and emotional conclusion. Karen Carney, 38, and Carlos Gu triumphed over fellow finalists, actor George Clarke and musical theatre star Amber Davies, after each couple performed three dances.
When hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announced her name, Karen was left speechless. Embracing Carlos, she expressed her disbelief to the audience. "I cannot believe it," she said. "I just wanna say thank you to everybody that's supported our journey... and thank you to this wonderful gentleman. We are a team." The pair later celebrated on Instagram, holding the Glitterball trophy and thanking fans for their votes and support.
A Royal Farewell to Beloved Hosts
The 2025 final was particularly poignant as it served as the last show for presenting duo Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. In a surprise moment, judge Craig Revel Horwood read out a heartfelt letter from Her Majesty Queen Camilla.
The Queen's tribute praised the hosts' partnership, 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 thanked them on behalf of millions of viewers and urged them to "keep dancing."
While the night ended with a new champion and a fitting send-off for its iconic hosts, the declining TV ratings will undoubtedly prompt reflection at the BBC on how to reinvigorate the beloved competition for its next series.
