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Key events
ReclinedPotato says: “Between Tess’s last judging panel and Carlos’ confession, I’m an absolute wreck. As a stubborn assh*le myself for many years, this year I decided to let people in and show some kindness to the world. It has come back to me as the most wonderful experience of love and generosity, I could never have imagined. Let love in for the win!”
fihema says: “Oh Carlos, we’ve all learnt to love you this season. Carlos has changed from being the star – or trying to be the star – to making the star shine. Which has made him shine. Something about when the tide rises, everything rises? I have discovered that I really admire Carlos, this season. Can’t wait to see him next year. It’s just a shame Karen won’t be with him.”
Your final feedback
Here’s a rapidfire round-up of your climactic comments. lester48 says: “Dave Arch and the singers are nailing it, as they normally do. Dave, you’re a superstar.”
paperview says: “I’m really enjoying the judges stepping out from behind the desk and doing these tutorials. It’s good to be reminded that they really do know their stuff when it comes to dancing.”
fihema says: “Tess and Claud, Claud and Tess, if you read this, there is no way Strictly is ever going to be the same without you. You have brought full glitter, sparkle and shine to the show with your girl power, wit, friendship, professionalism, spontaneity and sheer talent. Such a hard act to follow and impossible to imitate. Thank you.”
Lidoswimmer says: “Claud must have industrial-strength waterproof eye make-up.”
MikeMoonlight adds: “Claudia has ‘keep dancing’ written on the back of her jacket. Here’s hoping that Tess staggers on to the floor with a bottle of vodka at the end of the show, wearing a jacket with ‘I Don’t Really Care About Your Little face, Do You?’ written on the back.”
Eventful series, if maybe not an all-time classic
So ends the 23rd series of the ballroom behemoth. It proved one of the most injury-plagued, with two pre-series withdrawals (Kristian Nairn and Dani Dyer) and two mid-series crocked celebs (Stefan Dennis and La Voix). Alex Kingston’s exit was also injury-related, with her movement affected by a dislocated rib. It all meant some hasty rejigging, with couples getting byes and no elimination in Blackpool – where we apparently almost lost head judge Shirley Ballas to a fish bone fatality.
There were format innovations like the hilariously chaotic Instant Dance challenge and Musical Week’s Dance Relay. Cynthia Erivo returned as a guest judge with serious star power, while Icons Week cemented its place as a regular fixture. Meanewhile, Thomas Skinner caused controversy from start to finish, despite being booted out at the first opportunity.
We saw some remarkably high-standard hoofing, mainly from Karen Carney, Amber Davies and Lewis Cope, but the likes of Alex Kingston and George Clarke had their moments too. Some celebrities were knocked out too early (Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Ellie Goldstein and Vicky Pattison for me, not to mention Lewis). Meanwhile, Balvinder Sopal became an unexpected dance-off destroyer, surviving a record-breaking five eliminators.
A solid series will probably be best remembered as the one where Tess and Claudia made their bombshell announcement and fevered speculation about their potential replacements began. The closing of a chapter. Now we wait to see what the next one brings. Either way, it should be a fascinating 2026.
Keep dancing, Tess and Claud
As presenting duo Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman’s last live show, this was a momentous evening in the BBC ballroom. The end of an era. Tess has been there right from the start, clocking up 23 series in 21 years and more than 500 shows. Claudia is no slouch herself, having co-hosted for 15 years and clocking up more than 300 shows. It’s hard to imagine the pro-celebrity hoof-athon without them.
We had tissues at the ready yet this didn’t feel like a leaving do for the beloved duo. For Tess and Claud, admirably, the show has always been about the couples. They wouldn’t have wanted to make tonight about them and overshadow the finalists. Wisely, they got their send-off in last week’s semi-final. The judges paid chin-wobbly tribute and Craig read out a touching telegram from the actual Queen, but the pair still moved the spotlight straight back onto the contestants.
Besides, they will make their last screen appearance on the prerecorded Christmas Day special. I’m reliably informed this will see both get leaving gifts. No spoilers but it might involve Aljaž Škorjanec and Dave Arch. We’ll save our full tributes until then but what total lynchpins and all-round legends they’ve been. Their replacements have yet to be announced but theirs are big sparkly stilettos to fill.
A reader writes
An email about the judges’ marking just in from Lynne:
I find that Craig’s comments are almost always valid, despite the childish booing whenever he tries to give notes. But what I don’t understand is when he gives wholly positive comments but then gives a 9. If he’s going to mark lower, he needs to say why.
Thank you for all your commentary during this series which has given a lot of pleasure. Hope to see you commentating in 2026.
Carlos came into his own
Whatever the result tonight, we would’ve had a first-time pro champion. Utah-born Alexis Warr seriously impressed in her debut series and looks to be a strong addition to the Strictly ranks.
You also have to feel sorry for Ukrainian pro Nikita Kuzmin. For the second time in three years, he partnered the most technically gifted finalist – Layton Williams in 2023, Amber Davies this time – but was beaten to the glitterball.
However, it was lovely to see Shanghai-born Latin champion Carlos Gu get his moment. As an empathetic and sensitive partner to Karen Carney, he’s truly come into his own this series. Carlos came runner-up in his debut series with Molly Rainford and reached the quarter-final with Angela Scanlon but Kaz seemed to teach him as much as he taught her. He grew almost as much as she did, touchingly confessing that he’d become a better dancer and a better person since partnering her.
Kaz clearly adored him and let him do his thing, happy to take a back seat as he became emotional with pride. Claudia Winkleman has helped Carlos dry his eyes many times this series. She will need an even bigger, more absorbent sleeve to wipe away his happy tears tonight.
Amber was always too good to win
She copped a lot of flak all series for her perceived prior dance experience but Amber Davies needed to hit the ground running. As a late replacement for the injured Dani Dyer, she had just six hours’ training for her first dance but quickly bonded with pro partner Nikita Kuzmin, turned in a very creditable waltz and finished second on the leaderboard.
There’s a balance to be struck on Strictly between us needing high-standard hoofing to watch and enjoying someone’s improvement. Amber certainly ticked the box on the former. She became the first ever celebrity to score perfect 40s for three weeks in a row and made it four tonight. She was the contest’s highest scorer overall and remarkably consistent, never finishing lower than fourth on the leaderboard.
Ultimately, though, she was overly accomplished. With her stage school background and West End experience, Amber started from too high a base. Compared to her castmates, there was little room for growth or self-discovery. There’s never an excuse for some of the trolling she received but voting viewers never warmed to her, hence tumbling from top of the scoreboard into the bottom two and appearing in the dance-off three times en route to this final. To her credit, Amber acknowledged this in the final, admitting that her fellow finalists deserved the win.
Amber and Nikita were a dynamite partnership but such is the nature of Strictly that the highest scorers, both overall and in the final, became the rank outsiders. Those rumblings about her being a ringer meant she was never going to gain sufficient viewer votes. Still, she’ll go down as one of the best dancers not to win (file alongside Danny Mac, Ashley Roberts and Layton Williams), while her stock in musical theatre has only risen. Like the judges said, a Broadway star was born.
George excelled but was beaten by a better woman
Last man standing George Clarke was bookies’ favourite for much of this contest. With a big online following, he amused and charmed viewers, becoming popular with the wider public. Never in dance-off danger, he proceeded serenely through the contest all the way to the end.
In the home stretch, though, he was overtaken by Karen Carney – both on the judges; scoreboard and in viewers’ hearts. Runner-up felt about right for the self-effacing content creator.
He was self-critical, self-conscious and initially struggled with confidence but slowly learnt to lose his inhibitions, let go and enjoy himself. Humble with a great sense of humour, he instantly respected partner Alexis Warr as a teacher and took learning to dance seriously, becoming a great partner and diligent student. Against his expectations , George became a ballroom boy but in the latter stages of the contest, he unleashed his Latin hips too.
Yet his dancing was never quite good enough to truly deserve the glitterball. He scored five 10s en route to the final but never a perfect 40 – and still didn’t do so here, despite the generous scoring. He never topped the leaderboard but finished second three times, confirming his status as a ballroom bridesmaid. He neither quite had the choreographic x-factor nor a compelling enough personal story to carry him to victory.
Still, George has boosted his mainstream fame, won legions of new fans and done his career the power of good. Indeed, he was recently confirmed to be hosting a Radio 1 show on Christmas Day. George has brought us a lot of laughs and some popping hips. He was a deserving finalist but justice was done.
Karen Carney was a worthy winner
Was Karen Carney the best dancer in the contest? Not quite but she became the best novice, behind the more experienced Amber Davies and Lewis Cope. She just got better and better, while falling in love with dance and embarking on a transformational experience. It was the textbook Strictly journey™ and it carried the former Lioness to victory on a wave of glittery goodwill.
Kaz got further than any footballer in Strictly history, becoming the first to reach the semi-final, let alone the final. Yet after starting strongly with that leaderboard-topping week one jive, she had an up-and-down contest. She topped the scores three times, sure, but finished as low as 10th and came bottom once. However, her huge popularity with viewers meant she always avoided the dreaded dance-off.
The Brummie powerhouse surprised herself as much as viewers. She was open about struggling with her posture and frame due to her spinal condition, but under the gentle guidance of pro partner Carlos Gu, she steadily improved and blossomed in the ballroom. Fast-paced, sharp-footed dances were her strength but she learned to marry this with control, softness and storytelling. Always committed, she trained hard and went all in. In the process, she regained her confidence, discovered freedom in dance and palpably relished feeling like part of a team for the first time since her playing days.
Karen came into this final in prime form, having scored six 10s in the semi-final and topping the leaderboard. She duly danced to victory, drpping just three points across with three firecracker routines. As well as showing serious grit, Kaz does down as one of the most gracious and grateful Strictly champions in memory. Even in her moment of glory, she took care to thank everyone. Sometimes it’s an anti-climax when the bookies’ favourite wins. Here it was nothing but a joy to watch.
The Golden Glitterballs: grand final edition
Who needs the proper trophy when there’s our coveted liveblog baubles to win? Here are the last gong-getters of the series…
Best dance: Karen’s Peaky Blinders Argentine tango and George’s showdance were the standouts.
Worst dance: Nothing scored below 37 so “worst” is a stretch but Amber’s showdance – all lifts and little dancing – didn’t do it for me.
Best music choice: Red Right Hand.
Worst music choice: Some of the megamixes were a bit Stars On 45 (contemporary reference there).
Best outfit: Amber’s showdance corset or Alexis’ waltz frock.
Worst outfit: George’s sparkly athleisure for his showdance or Nikita’s entire wardrobe, which seemed to have been brought to us by Tom Of Finland.
Best VT: Karen Carney’s were genuinely affecting.
Worst VT: Amber’s luvvie-ish gushing not so much. They were even soundtracked by Dido at one point.
Best judges’ comment: Loved Craig getting emotional but the prize goes to Anton arriving for his George masterclass: “I know, it’s like a dream but it’s really me!”
Best Claudia quip: “Hurry up, babe, it’s Christmas Day,” when Nikita rambled on. Or the “Hats down!” skit. Legendary.
Don’t watch that, watch this
TV viewers can now stay on BBC1 for Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel or flip to ITV1 for The 1% Club Christmas Special. If quizzes aren’t your thing but 80s pop is, it’s Madness Night on BBC2 or Boy George & Culture Club on Sky Arts.
If you’re in the mood for a pre-Christmas film, I can recommend Die Hard (9.10pm on Channel 4), Planes, Trains & Automobiles (9.10pm on Sky Showcase), To Die For (10pm on That’s TV), Nightmare Alley (11.10pm on Film4) or Looper (11.25pm on Legend). I’m not a pervert, I’m a guy who wants to get home!
Credits roll
For the last time ever (hold me!), a tearful Tess and Claud snuggle up, sway and tell us to “Keeeeeep dancing!”. Pass the sparkly box of tissues and please stay with us for analysis, reaction and a round-up of your grand final wisdom.
Glitter cannons fire! Sparks fly! Confetti falls! They hoist that “tasteful” trophy aloft! Tears a-plenty, mainly from Carlos. Let’s hope Claud is poised with an extra-absorbent jacket sleeve.
So there we have it. Genuine disbelief in her eyes, Karen Carney becomes the 23rd Strictly Come Dancing champion in Tess and Claudia’s farewell series. Her pro partner Carlos Gu wins the coveted title in his second final.
Karen Carney is the 2025 champion
To widespread jubilation in the ballroom, ex-Lioness Kaz and her pro partner Carolso Gu are announced as the winners.
Glitterball winner about to be revealed
The votes have been counted and verified. Hear that, Tommy Bosh? Time for tension-building… long… pauses…. as we discover who is the new Strictly champion. And the winner is…
#Strictly #Dancing #final #live #Strictly #Dancing
