Carlos Gu breaks down, Karen Carney crowned Strictly Come Dancing 2025 champions

Carlos Gu broke down emotionally during the live Strictly Come Dancing final on Saturday night, addressing his journey on the show and revealing for the first time why he had not been paired with a celebrity partner in previous years. He and Karen Carney ultimately won the glitterball trophy after three routines in the final.

Performing three routines in the final, the pair opened with a showdance before delivering a football-inspired jive set to Blondie's One Way or Another. After their final dance, the judges awarded a perfect 40, and Carlos stood beside Karen facing the panel as his emotions surged. Moments later, in the Clauditorium with host Claudia Winkleman, he tearfully told viewers that Karen had changed his life.

He explained that before joining Strictly he had been focused on himself after a long career in competitive life, saying, "I came to Strictly after competitive life, I was self centred, I was 'me, me, me'." He added that his prior lack of a partner in previous years could be traced to that attitude, noting that he had learned to shift gears in the presence of his partner.

Carrying on, he credited Karen for teaching him kindness, humility and the importance of teamwork. "For the first time, I learned to be a team player," he said, pausing to collect himself. Claudia Winkleman stepped in to offer support: "Oh Carlos, you are! You are a team player. You are, and we love you and your partnership is everything."

The moment was followed by a perfect score of 40 from the judges, which left both Carlos and Karen in tears once again. Viewers at home were moved by his openness, with social media reaction reflecting a shared emotional response to the scene.

In the end, Carlos Gu and Karen Carney were announced as Strictly Come Dancing champions, finishing ahead of finalists George Clarke and Amber Davies. Karen struggled to take in the win, telling the audience, "I cannot believe it. I just want to say thank you to everybody that's supported our journey, supported us, and thank you to this wonderful gentleman. We are a team, and I could not have done this without you. But honestly, I can't believe it, and it's been the biggest privilege and honour, and literally, I'm lost for words. I'm so sorry."

Before the result, Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman received a farewell tribute video package as this year's series highlights were aired. The show also featured a reading of a special letter from Her Majesty The Queen, read by Craig Revel Horwood, that lauded the competition as a showcase of friendship, perseverance and joy. The message, attributed to Queen Camilla, thanked the hosts for their service and urged them to keep dancing. The note described the programs as a celebration of the bonds formed and the joy shared in undertaking a joint endeavour, underscoring the show’s enduring appeal.

The episode opened with Winkleman in a black jacket paired with a white blouse, a nod to the show’s signature style, while Tess Daly wore a rose-gold sequined dress with a thigh-high slit. The finale reinforced Strictly’s role as a year's end cultural moment, blending high-stakes competition with personal storytelling and public sentiment.

The emotional moment, the final performances, and the Queen’s tribute collectively framed Strictly Come Dancing 2025 as a milestone for the franchise, underscoring the show’s ongoing evolution and its ability to amplify the personal narratives of its performers while delivering polished, high-energy dance.