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After three months of shimmering dance routines, plenty of injuries and many tears, Strictly Come Dancing 2025 has its winner.
The Glitterball trophy was lifted by former England player Karen Carney and her professional partner Carlos Gu on Saturday night. The pair beat ex-Love Islander Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke to lift the trophy.
After their victory was announced, Carney said: “I cannot believe it. I want to say thank you to everyone who has supported our journey. It’s been the biggest privilege and honour. I’m lost for words, I’m so sorry.”
“Thank you for being so incredible, this whole journey,” Gu added. “You taught me so much. We challenged each other, we helped each other. Thank you for changing my life.”
Their win came after Gu delivered one of the final’s most unexpected emotional moments, breaking down in tears as he said he was “self-centred” before meeting Carney.
It was a particularly emotional episode as the final marked Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman’s final time presenting the programme. The pair were given a suitably special send-off with Craig Revel Horwood reading a letter written to the hosts by the Queen.
The 2025 celebrity cast – including Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, Chris Robshaw and Vicky Pattison – also reunited for a group routine.
But one contestant was absent: controversial Apprentice star Thomas Skinner will not make an appearance after he alleged that the BBC rigged his voting figures on the show. Skinner has said he is seeking legal advice.
Follow along with our live updates, below…
Strictly Come Dancing 2025 final Carlos Gu makes sad admission before lifting Glitterball trophy
This year’s pro winner Carlos Gu, 32, said during the live show that he was “self-centred” before he met his dance partner, Karen Carney, 38.
He said: “She changed my life. She’s the best thing I’ve ever had in 2025. I came to Strictly after competitive live, I was self-centered, I was ‘me me me.’”
“I’ve been lost for years… no wonder I didn’t get a partner last year because I was not grateful,” he said, referring to the fact that he was not paired with a celebrity on the 2024 programme.
Ellie Muir21 December 2025 13:10
Winner Karen says she’s got ‘friends for life’ in her fellow finalists
Addressing her fellow finalists, George Clarke and Amber Davies and their pro partners, Karen said online: “Last night was a celebration and I’m so grateful we could experience that together – you were all incredible!”
“Thank you for being some of the loveliest, most caring people I’ve ever met. From start to finish sharing the dance floor with you has been the biggest honour,” she added.
“I can’t believe that was our last time dancing together but I’m so thankful I have friends for life in all of you.”
Ellie Muir21 December 2025 12:49
Strictly’s tear-soaked finale leaves us wondering – how on earth can you replace a duo like Tess and Claudia?
How could anyone else possibly match up?
Queen Camilla put it best when she said the pair have “been the greatest Strictly partnership of all,” writes Rachel McGrath
Ellie Muir21 December 2025 12:40
George Clarke says it’s been ‘hard’ to come to terms with the end of his ‘Strictly’ time
Runner-up George Clarke said in a post on Sunday morning: “Last night was a lot to process but not because I didn’t walk away with a glitterball. The journey is done and that’s hard to come to terms with.”
He praised his partner, new pro dancer Alexis Warr, for teaching him how to dance and building up his confidence.
George added: “Overall, the whole world of Strictly is so uplifting and positive. Everyone in and around the Strictly family has been a breath of fresh air to have in my life. It was an absolute pleasure to be a part of it and a part of Tess and Claudia’s last season (who were nothing short of incredible to me throughout).”
He praised the winner, Karen, saying: “Everyone has had their own personal journeys and many would’ve been worthy of winning but I’m happy to say that a particularly impressive woman on and off the dance floor has had the privilege of walking away as champ.”
“I hope that I can continue dancing in some capacity because in many ways I don’t feel like I’m done… my body however will be on standby until 2026. Thankyou to everyone that made this incredible experience possible! Now let’s go make some internet stuff.”
George Clarke and Alexis Warr on ‘Strictly’ (BBC)
Ellie Muir21 December 2025 11:23
A moment for George Clarke’s Showdance
Watch: George and Alexis perform their Showdance routine to “Human” by The Killers. That opening sequence!
George Clarke’s Strictly final showdance leaves Shirley Ballas in tears
Ellie Muir21 December 2025 10:30
Watch: Karen Carney’s showstopping Argentine tangoKaren Carney lands the first 40 of the Strictly final
Ellie Muir21 December 2025 10:30
Strictly plays funny prank on Claudia Winkleman as she exits show
Last night, the show’s pro dancers and judges played a funny prank on Claudia Winkleman during her final live show by dressing up as her doppelgangers, clad in black-fringed wigs and thick eyeliner.
Ellie Muir21 December 2025 10:00
Last year’s winner Chris McCausland ‘delighted’ that neighbour Karen Carney is keeping Glitterball trophy ‘local’
Chris McCausland, who won last year’s show with Dianne Buswell, has said he is “delighted” that his neighbour Karen Carney is keeping the Glitterball in the local area.
“What a legend Kaz is!” he wrote on X/Twitter. “We used to be next door neighbours and now she lives around the corner. Delighted she is keeping the glitter ball local! And well done to lovely Carlos as well!”
Chris McCausland won last year’s programme with Dianne Buswell (BBC)
Ellie Muir21 December 2025 09:21
Tess Daly says Strictly’s ‘only agenda’ is joy
Reflecting on her final show, Tess Daly wrote on Instagram that Strictly “is a show that is made with love, where joy is the currency and the only agenda.”
She continued: “I’ll miss the Strictly viewers, because they are the very best, the most loyal and supportive, and as passionate about the show as I have always been.”
Tess Daly grew emotional during her final ‘Strictly’ show (BBC)
Ellie Muir21 December 2025 09:07
Karen and Carlos lift the Glitterball trophy – a real triumph.
Karen Carney and Carlos Gu winning ‘Strictly’ (CREDIT LINE:BBC/Guy Levy)
Ellie Muir21 December 2025 09:00