The air crackled with anticipation across the UK on Saturday, December 20, 2025, as the curtain rose on the Strictly Come Dancing grand final. This wasn’t just any showdown for the coveted Glitterball trophy—it also marked the emotional farewell of beloved hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, whose partnership has defined the show for more than a decade. After months of dazzling routines, unexpected twists, and a rollercoaster of emotions, only three couples remained from the original fifteen: Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin, George Clarke and Alexis Warr, and Karen Carney and Carlos Gu.
As reported by BBC News, the grand final aired live from 19:00 GMT on BBC One and iPlayer, and the stakes couldn’t have been higher. For the first time in the show's 21-year history, viewers alone determined who would waltz away with the trophy, with the judges’ scores serving only as guidance. The format offered the ultimate test of popularity, skill, and perseverance for the finalists, each of whom had taken a uniquely challenging journey to reach this stage.
Amber Davies, a late addition to the lineup after stepping in for Dani Dyer with less than 48 hours’ notice, quickly established herself as a force to be reckoned with. According to The Independent, Davies, 29, delivered standout performances throughout the series, including a flawless Charleston in the quarter-finals and an Ariana Grande-inspired Cha Cha during Icons Week. Yet, her background in West End musicals—having appeared in productions like Pretty Woman, 9 to 5: The Musical, and The Great Gatsby—became a point of contention. Some viewers took to social media to voice concerns that her experience gave her an unfair edge, a backlash that intensified after she triumphed over fan-favorite Lewis Cope in the quarter-final dance-off.
Davies didn’t shy away from the criticism. At a press conference covered by BBC News, she acknowledged, “I have experience compared to these two. I’m not shying away from that. However, I would say that the love actually does outshine the hate.” She added, “I feel like I have worked just as hard as these guys going into the final, because I had to fight to get into the final.” Her pro partner, Nikita Kuzmin, even issued a public plea for kindness in the face of relentless online negativity. Despite the noise, Davies’ technical prowess and resilience kept her firmly in the running.
Karen Carney’s journey was equally compelling, albeit for different reasons. The former Lioness and Arsenal, Chelsea, and England footballer became the first female footballer ever to reach the Strictly final—a milestone she described as “weird” and “really, really proud” during a BBC press conference. Carney’s debut jive in week one, performed with Carlos Gu, catapulted the pair to the top of the leaderboard. But her path wasn’t without obstacles. She revealed on The Independent that she lives with Scheuermann’s disease, a condition causing curvature of the spine, which made some routines particularly challenging. “There are certain elements I won’t be able to do as well as I’d like to,” she admitted before tackling the Tango. Nonetheless, Carney’s determination shone through, and she credited the show with restoring her confidence after years of online trolling related to her punditry career. “It’s by far the happiest I’ve ever been,” she said, reflecting on how Strictly helped her rediscover her authentic self.
Meanwhile, George Clarke, a social media star with millions of followers but little mainstream TV exposure, described his experience as “mental.” As he told BBC News, “It’s a completely different world to what I’m used to.” Clarke’s journey was marked by a blend of humor and vulnerability, with performances ranging from a memorable Salsa to “Party Rock Anthem” in Blackpool to a heartfelt rumba dedicated to his mother and grandfather. Though the only male contestant left in the competition and the only finalist yet to score a perfect 40, Clarke’s partnership with Alexis Warr and his ability to connect with audiences earned him a place in the final. His progress, as noted by The Independent, also underscored the growing influence of social media personalities on mainstream entertainment—especially with another online star, AngryGinge, recently winning I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!
The grand final itself was a spectacle of glitz, emotion, and nostalgia. Each finalist performed three routines: a show dance, a judges’ pick, and their favorite dance from the series. Davies and Kuzmin dazzled with a show dance to “Rain On Me” by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, a Paso Doble to “Dream On” by Aerosmith, and a high-energy Jive to “Proud Mary.” Clarke and Warr captivated with their show dance to “Human” by The Killers, a Viennese Waltz to “Somebody to Love” by Queen, and a Paso Doble to “Game of Survival” by Ruelle. Carney and Gu delivered a rousing show dance to “Inner Smile” by Texas, an Argentine Tango to “Red Right Hand” by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, and a Jive to “One Way Or Another” by Blondie. As reported by multiple outlets, the night also featured a group routine from the professional dancers and the 2025 cast, though Apprentice contestant Thomas Skinner was notably absent.
This year’s final unfolded against a backdrop of significant change and some controversy. In October, Daly and Winkleman’s announcement that they would be stepping down stunned both viewers and contestants. Daly, who has hosted since the show’s inception 21 years ago, and Winkleman, who joined as a main presenter in 2014, admitted on It Takes Two that their last show might be "emotional." Their final appearance will be in the Christmas special airing December 25. Meanwhile, the show has faced tough headlines, with two men associated with Strictly arrested on suspicion of rape in November, though BBC News confirmed these incidents were unrelated to the current series. In response to growing concerns over contestant welfare, the BBC introduced new duty of care measures last year, including placing chaperones in rehearsals.
As the final votes rolled in, the nation held its breath. The judges’ comments—always colorful, sometimes controversial—were delivered with extra poignancy, knowing their scores were now just for guidance. In the end, it was the public who decided whose journey would end with the Glitterball trophy raised high.
With the 2025 series drawing to a close, Strictly Come Dancing remains a celebration of talent, perseverance, and transformation. Whether it was Davies’ technical brilliance, Carney’s resilience, or Clarke’s infectious joy, each finalist brought something unique to the dance floor. And as Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman took their final bows, the show looked ahead to a new era—one shaped, as ever, by the passion of its performers and the devotion of its fans.
