In a glittering and emotional climax to the series, Karen Carney has been crowned the champion of Strictly Come Dancing 2025. The former footballer lifted the coveted Glitterball Trophy after the British public cast their votes in a tightly contested final on Saturday, 20th December.
A Triumphant Final Performance
The live BBC broadcast saw the three finalists – Carney, ex-Love Island star Amber Davies, and social media influencer George Clarke – each perform three dances in a final bid for victory. Carney, partnered with professional dancer Carlos Gu, revisited her high-scoring Argentine Tango to the Peaky Blinders theme, a lively Jive to Blondie's 'One Way or Another', and a celebratory Showdance to Texas's 'Inner Smile'.
George Clarke and Alexis Warr performed a Viennese Waltz, a Paso Doble, and a Showdance to The Killers' 'Human'. Amber Davies, dancing with Nikita Kuzmin, delivered a powerful Paso Doble and a Jive before her Showdance to Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande's 'Rain On Me'.
End of an Era for Beloved Hosts
The 2025 final was a historic moment, marking the last live show for presenting duo Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. Daly, who has fronted the show for 21 years, and Winkleman, her co-host for 11, announced their joint departure in October. In a statement, they said leaving "now feels like the right time" and paid tribute to the show's "brilliant team".
The finale featured a group dance with most of this year's cast, but one notable absence was controversial contestant Thomas Skinner. The former Apprentice star confirmed he would not attend and claimed in a social media post that he was seeking legal advice over allegations his exit was "rigged", citing an anonymous email. The BBC issued a firm statement, saying the vote is "independently overseen and verified" and that such claims are "entirely without foundation".
A New Champion is Crowned
After the public vote was combined with the judges' scores, the result was announced: Karen Carney was declared the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing winner. Her victory caps an impressive journey from the football pitch to the ballroom, delighting fans and judges alike with her dedication and performance quality throughout the series.
The night provided a fitting, if bittersweet, conclusion to a dramatic series, celebrating a new champion while bidding a fond farewell to two of British television's most iconic hosts.
