Strictly Come Dancing's glittering final was overshadowed for many viewers by what they described as a painfully obvious feud between two of the show's professional dancers. Fans of the BBC juggernaut were left gutted after spotting a series of tense moments involving Nancy Xu and Carlos Gu during the emotional climax of the 2025 series.
The Winning Moment Overshadowed by Tension
The grand final, broadcast over the weekend of the 21st December 2025, saw footballer Carlos Gu and his celebrity partner Karen Carney lift the Glitterball Trophy. They triumphed over rivals George Clarke and Amber Davies in a dramatic showdown. In a tearful speech before the result was announced, Carlos credited Karen with changing his life, stating she was "the best thing" he had in 2025 and that she taught him to be a team player after a "self-centred" competitive career.
Host Claudia Winkleman and fellow professionals quickly rallied to comfort the emotional dancer. However, eagle-eyed viewers noticed one colleague who seemed distinctly unimpressed. While others like Michelle Tsiakkas, Amy Dowden, and Lauren Oakley appeared moved, Nancy Xu's expression remained stoic and unchanged as she hugged Johannes Radebe.
Fan Fury and Social Media Clues
The reaction on social media was swift and damning. One fan commented, "If you don't like him then stay out of camera shot and keep your feelings to yourself." Another asked, "Could Nancy even attempt to hide her dislike for Carlos?" A third observed, "Nancy so not bothered by Carlos' tears." The perceived snub felt even more pointed when Nancy later took to Instagram to congratulate the winners.
Her post read: "Congratulations for all the final couples! And Well‑deserved Winer @kazcarney and Carlos." Crucially, Nancy was unable to tag Carlos Gu directly in the message, as the pair have unfollowed each other on social media. This forced winner Karen Carney to respond to the well-wishes on behalf of them both.
A Friendship Turned 'Awkward'
Sources close to the show have previously spoken of an "awkward" atmosphere on set. One insider revealed, "The feud between Nancy and Carlos is really sad and has left everyone really shocked. They've been close since childhood, but have fallen out... The atmosphere on set is said to be awkward and tense when both are around." The tension was reportedly such that it was "a relief" when Carlos missed a show weeks earlier.
Carlos has publicly downplayed the rift, stating, "We're fine. We've been friends since childhood, and friends argue, we're too close and are like brother and sister to completely fall out." Despite this, the visual evidence from the final and their disconnected social media presence has convinced fans that a significant Strictly Come Dancing feud is very real, casting a shadow over what should have been a purely celebratory night.
