Former footballer Karen Carney and professional partner Carlos Gu have won Strictly Come Dancing 2025, lifting the glitterball trophy in an emotional finale that also marked the final live show for long-standing hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. The victory makes Carney the first footballer to win the BBC dance competition, while Gu secured his first win since joining the show in 2022.
The 38-year-old former Lioness and her partner defeated finalists Amber Davies with Nikita Kuzmin and George Clarke with Alexis Warr after millions of viewer votes. Carney appeared overwhelmed as the result was announced, telling the audience: «I can't believe it. I just want to say thank you to everybody that has supported our journey, and supported us. Thank you to this wonderful gentleman, we are a team and I couldn't have done it without you. It's been the biggest privilege and honour. I'm literally lost for words, I'm so sorry.»
Gu responded emotionally, telling his partner: «You changed my life.» He also addressed young viewers: «To the girls and boys watching at home, dream big and be proud and never give up.»
Emotional farewell for hosts
The finale took on added significance as Daly and Winkleman's last live broadcast together after announcing their departure in October. Daly has presented Strictly Come Dancing since its launch in 2004, initially alongside Sir Bruce Forsyth, making her tenure 21 years. Winkleman joined as co-host in 2014.
The pair were visibly emotional throughout the show, receiving tributes from judges, professional dancers, and even Queen Camilla, who sent a personal message describing them as «fab-u-lous.» Judge Anton Du Beke became tearful, telling Daly: «I can't tell you how much I've loved Tess. Spending the last 21 years with you, I love you.»
In a playful surprise, professional dancers and judges dressed as Winkleman—complete with signature wigs and black fringes—when she announced the opening of public voting. Winkleman screamed: «Oh my god! I can't cope!»
Daly's husband, BBC Radio 2 presenter Vernon Kay, attended with their eldest daughter Phoebe, 21, providing support from the audience.
The competition
Each of the three finalist couples performed three routines: their favourite dance from the series, a judges' pick, and a show dance. Carney and Gu's Argentine tango to "Red Right Hand" by Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds—a Peaky Blinders-inspired routine from Halloween week chosen by judge Motsi Mabuse—earned the first perfect score of 40 for the night.
The 2025 series was marked by numerous contestant withdrawals, including Kristian Nairn and Dani Dyer before live shows began, and Stefan Dennis and La Voix during the competition. This led to a three-person finale rather than the typical four couples.
The hosts will make one final pre-recorded appearance in a Christmas Day special. In their joint statement announcing their departure, they said hosting Strictly had been «an absolute dream» and that it «feels like the right time» to leave. They added: «We will cry when we say the last "keep dancing" but we will continue to say it to each other. Just possibly in tracksuit bottoms at home while holding some pizza.»
Speculation about their replacements is already underway, with Zoe Ball, who recently announced her departure from BBC Radio 2, emerging as a leading contender.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
