STRICTLY COME DANCING CROWNS NEW CHAMPIONS AS KAREN CARNEY LIFTS THE GLITTERBALL

Strictly Come Dancing delivered a night packed with emotion, glitter and unforgettable performances as Karen Carney was crowned the 2025 champion, becoming the first footballer ever to lift the iconic glitterball trophy.

The former England Lioness beat Love Island winner Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after topping the public vote in Saturday night’s spectacular live final on BBC One. Paired with professional dancer Carlos Gu, Carney’s journey from the training room to ballroom champion captured the hearts of viewers across the country.

Karen Carney and Carlos Gu celebrate with the glitterball trophy after their football-themed jive to One Way Or Another by Blondie earned a standing ovation. Credit: BBC

“I can’t believe it,” an emotional Carney said as confetti rained down. “It’s been the biggest privilege and honour. I’m honestly lost for words.”

As tradition dictates, each finalist performed three dances: a judges’ choice, their favourite routine from the series, and a show dance designed to showcase their personality and journey. While the judges offered advisory scores, the ultimate decision rested with the public.

Karen and Carlos delivered a powerful and varied set of performances. Their show dance to Inner Smile by Texas was a celebration of joy and resilience, while their Argentine Tango to Red Right Hand by Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds oozed intensity and drama.

But it was their football-themed jive to Blondie’s One Way Or Another that truly brought the house down. Packed with athletic flair and infectious energy, the routine earned a standing ovation and their second perfect score of the night, firmly placing them as frontrunners.

Despite fierce competition, the public vote confirmed it was Carney and Gu’s moment.

“I just want to thank everybody who supported our journey,” Carney said. “This has meant everything.”

Carlos Gu, visibly emotional, told his celebrity partner: “You have changed my life. To the girls and boys watching at home, dream big, be proud, and never give up.”

Amber Davies and her partner Nikita Kuzmin were first to take to the floor, impressing with a slick show dance to Rain On Me by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, a dramatic Paso Doble to Aerosmith’s Dream On, and an energetic jive to Proud Mary.

Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin were the first couple to take to the dance floor in the final – Credit: BBC

Meanwhile, George Clarke and Alexis Warr delivered a polished and theatrical set, including a reprisal of their Paso Doble to Game of Survival, a rousing show dance to Human by The Killers, and a graceful Viennese Waltz to Queen’s Somebody to Love.

Social media star George Clarke and Alexis Warr opted to reprise their favourite routine from the series — a Paso Doble set to Game of Survival by Ruelle - Credit: BBC

All three couples received praise from the judges, but after weeks of tangos, foxtrots and salsas, it was Karen Carney who captured the nation’s votes.

The final also marked the last time Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman hosted a Strictly final together, ending an era for the BBC’s flagship entertainment show.

Daly has been with Strictly since its very first series 21 years ago, while Winkleman joined in 2014 after years hosting sister programme It Takes Two. Both presenters were visibly emotional as the credits rolled.

Among the tributes was a message from Queen Camilla, read out by judge Craig Revel Horwood, praising the duo’s “warmth, compassion and sheer happiness”.

Tess and Claudia were delighted to receive a special letter from the Queen - Credit: BBC

“I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly fab-u-lous,” the Queen’s message read.

Further messages came from Mary Berry, members of the Strictly crew, and fans across the country, underlining just how deeply the pair have become woven into the fabric of British television.

Their final appearance will come on Strictly’s Christmas Special, airing on 25 December.

The grand final also featured a nostalgic performance from boyband Five, who delivered a medley of their biggest hits, while most of the 2025 cast returned to the ballroom for one final group routine.

Notably absent, however, was Thomas Skinner, Strictly’s first eliminated contestant of the series. Earlier in the day, Skinner claimed on social media that the BBC had “rigged” the public vote. A BBC spokesperson firmly denied the allegations, stating the vote is “independently overseen and verified to ensure complete accuracy.”

As the glitter settled and the music faded, the 2025 Strictly final will be remembered not just for Karen Carney’s historic win, but for the emotional farewell to two of the show’s most loved presenters.

It was a night that celebrated perseverance, partnership and the magic of live television, proving once again why Strictly Come Dancing remains one of the UK’s most cherished shows.