In a night charged with emotion and glittering spectacle, Karen Carney and her professional partner Carlos Gu were crowned the champions of Strictly Come Dancing 2025. The historic victory unfolded during a grand final that doubled as a poignant farewell to the show's legendary presenting duo, Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, after two decades at the helm.
A Triumph Over Adversity
The 38-year-old former Lioness, the first female footballer to compete on the BBC juggernaut, faced off against fellow finalists George Clarke with Alexis Warr and Amber Davies with Nikita Kuzmin. Carney's journey to the Glitterball was marked by a significant physical challenge. Early in the competition, she revealed she lives with Scheuermann’s disease, a condition causing curvature of the spine, which made mastering the precise posture of ballroom routines exceptionally difficult.
"It’s a real physical challenge," Carney confessed on spin-off show *It Takes Two*. "Like, it’s really, really hard. I have a posture aid." This harness, strapped across her upper back, helped train her muscles by engaging her nervous system. Her dedication moved partner Carlos Gu to tears in week seven, as he sobbed with pride over her progress despite the condition.
Unforgettable Routines and Restored Confidence
Carney's path to victory was paved with standout performances that captivated both judges and the public. Key moments included:
- A powerful Couple’s Choice routine to Lady Gaga’s "Born This Way," preceded by Carney speaking out about how trolling during her punditry career had damaged her mental health.
- A fiery Blackpool Paso Doble that earned an impressive 39 points.
- What was hailed as the strongest Waltz of the entire series during the semi-final.
The footballer credited the show with rebuilding her self-assurance, stating, "It has helped my confidence so much... I can be my true, authentic self."
The End of an Era for Iconic Hosts
The final, aired on Saturday 20 December 2025, was as much about celebrating the new champions as it was about bidding an emotional goodbye to Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. The pair, who have defined the show's presentation for twenty years, received a heartfelt send-off from cast, crew, and millions of viewers, marking the conclusion of a beloved chapter in British television history.
Carney's win also secures her place in Strictly folklore as the first footballer ever to reach the final, let alone win the competition. The Birmingham-born star, nicknamed "the wizard," is England’s third most-capped player with 144 appearances, an MBE and OBE recipient, and now adds the coveted Glitterball trophy to her illustrious collection of accolades.
