Karen Carney and Carlos Gu win Strictly crown while Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman bow out | Strictly Come Dancing

Former England footballer Karen Carney and professional dancer Carlos Gu have won the 2025 series Strictly Come Dancing.

Carney is the first footballer to lift the glittering ball trophy as Gu becomes the first gay man and the first Asian to win BBC A dance program.

Saturday’s final It also marked the last time hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman co-hosted the weekend live show together, after announcing in October they will leave the program after 21 and 11 years respectively.

After being announced as the winner, beating West End actress Amber Davies and social media personality George Clarke, Carney, 38, said: “I can’t believe it.

“I just want to thank everyone who has supported our journey and supported us.

“Thank you for this wonderful gentleman, we are a team and I couldn’t have done it without you.”

Gu, 32 years old, thanked the former Luana midfielder and told him: “You changed my life.

“To the girls and boys watching at home, dream big and be proud and never give up,” he added.

Before the series winners were crowned, a video tribute to Daly and Winkleman was played with messages from fans, friends and familiar faces including TV chef Mary Berry.

Judge Craig Revel Horwood later read a message sent by Queen Camilla, which said: “I have often thought that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as it is about friendships: the bonds made, the struggles overcome and the shared joy in undertaking a joint endeavour.

“If that’s true, then perhaps your partnership was strictly the greatest of all.

“The warmth, compassion and sheer happiness you have radiated with and from each other has been at the heart of the show’s success.

“I think I speak for everyone when I say you were absolutely fantastic.

“I wish you both the best of luck wherever life’s journey takes you next. But as someone who has appreciated its benefits throughout life, promise us one thing: Keep dancing!”

Daly said: “Thank you all so much for your kind words, it means the world.

“Thank you for your support over the years.”

Winkleman added: “It has been an absolute privilege to spend our weekends with you.”

The finalists performed three dances on the live show including a previous routine after a masterclass with the judges, a show dance and their favorite dance from the series.

Carney and Gu performed their Peaky Blinders-inspired Argentinian tango to Red Right Hand by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, which received a perfect score of 40 points from the judges.

They later performed their show dance to Inner Smile from Texas, receiving 37 points from the judges, before performing a football-themed dance to Blondie’s One Way or Another as their favorite dance.

Daly and Winkleman will return for their final appearance as presenting duo in a pre-recorded festive special, which will air on Christmas Day.