The glittering climax to a famously turbulent series is upon us. This Saturday, 20 December 2025, one of three remaining celebrities will be crowned the champion of Strictly Come Dancing 2025 in a grand final that also marks the end of an era. It will be the last ever live episode hosted by the iconic presenting duo of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
A Chaotic Road to the Final
The journey to this point has been anything but smooth. The series was rocked before it even began by the controversy surrounding Tom Skinner's casting and the last-minute withdrawals of Game of Thrones actor Kristian Nairn and ex-Love Island star Dani Dyer. Their replacements, Emmerdale's Lewis Cope and Dyer's fellow Islander Amber Davies, were thrust into the spotlight with little preparation.
Further drama ensued with the announcement of Daly and Winkleman's departure, followed by two more celebrities pulling out due to injury. The exit of drag queen La Voix led to an unprecedented elimination-free week at Blackpool. After ten tense dance-offs, the final trio has emerged: former footballer Karen Carney, YouTube personality George Clarke, and actress Amber Davies.
Meet the 2025 Strictly Finalists
Amber Davies: The Skilled Underdog
Davies entered the competition in the most dramatic fashion, replacing Dani Dyer with less than 48 hours until the launch show. Despite the rushed start, her elegant Week One Waltz immediately marked her as a contender. The 29-year-old has delivered multiple show-stopping routines, including a daring Ariana Grande-inspired Cha Cha and a perfectly-scored Charleston in the quarter-finals.
However, her extensive West End training and professional dance background have proven a double-edged sword. While undeniably boosting her technical skill, it has made winning over the voting public an uphill battle. Davies is the only finalist to have faced the dance-off, surviving it twice, and has been subjected to significant online abuse. After her quarter-final victory over popular contestant Lewis Cope, her professional partner Nikita Kuzmin made an emotional public plea for the trolling to stop.
Karen Carney: The Inspirational Journey
Carney has made history as the first female professional footballer to compete on Strictly Come Dancing. The 38-year-old former Arsenal, Chelsea and England star began with a powerhouse Jive that shot her to the top of the leaderboard. She later revealed a personal challenge: Scheuermann's disease, a condition that causes curvature of the spine and affects her movement.
Demonstrating tremendous resilience, Carney worked tirelessly with partner Carlos Gu. After a mid-series dip, she roared back with a dramatic Peaky Blinders-themed Argentine Tango at Halloween. Her subsequent performances, including a poignant Couple's Choice to Lady Gaga's "Born This Way" and a near-perfect Blackpool Paso Doble scoring 39, have cemented her place as a favourite. The show has been transformative for Carney, who shared how it helped rebuild confidence damaged by past trolling during her punditry career.
George Clarke: The Entertaining Dark Horse
While a social media star to millions, Clarke was an unknown quantity to many Strictly viewers at the series' start. The 26-year-old has won hearts with his infectious fun and willingness to embrace the show's madness, from a quirky K-pop Couple's Choice to a memorable Blackpool Salsa set to "Party Rock Anthem".
Yet Clarke has also revealed surprising depth and skill. His Phantom of the Opera Argentine Tango during Musicals Week was a series highlight, and his classic ballroom numbers, like a week 10 Quickstep to Frank Sinatra, have earned high praise from the judges for his elegant partnering. A vulnerable Rumba dedicated to his mother and grandfather showed another dimension. He is the only finalist yet to score a perfect 40 – can he achieve it when it matters most?
The Final Showdown
The Strictly Come Dancing 2025 final airs on BBC One at 7pm on Saturday 20 December. Each finalist will perform three times in a bid to lift the coveted Glitterball Trophy. With Davies' technical brilliance, Carney's inspirational story, and Clarke's crowd-pleasing charm, the result is genuinely unpredictable. One thing is certain: it will be a spectacular and emotional farewell to the Tess and Claudia era of Saturday night entertainment.
