Strictly Come Dancing final ratings dip for fourth year as Karen Carney and Carlos Gu win

Strictly Come Dancing’s 2025 final drew fewer viewers than the previous finales, marking a fourth consecutive year of declines, even as Karen Carney and Carlos Gu were crowned champions. The live finale peaked at 8.4 million viewers, while the series’ average audience slipped to about 7.6 million. The trend mirrors a gradual drop over the past few years, with the 2024 final peaking at 9.3 million and averaging around 8.6 million, while 2023’s finale reached about 9.7 million at its peak and averaged roughly 8.8 million.

BBC officials highlighted the live overnight numbers but stressed that many additional viewers tune in via BBC iPlayer, where Strictly has grown its audience this year. On Saturday’s overnights alone, the final was the UK’s most watched show by far, peaking with 8.4 million viewers for Karen Carney and Carlos Gu being crowned champions — nearly eight million more than anything else on TV at that time. The broadcaster noted that streaming will supplement the live numbers and expand the show’s reach.

The finale featured ex-footballer Karen Carney and her partner Carlos Gu defeating George Clarke and Amber Davies. Each finalist performed three times — a judges’ choice, their show dance and their favourite dance — before the winner was announced. Karen, 38, looked moved as she was declared the champion, embracing Carlos as Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman bid viewers farewell in an emotional finale. She told the audience, “I cannot believe it. I just wanna say thank you to everybody that’s supported our journey, supported us, and, thank you to this wonderful gentleman [Carlos]. We are a team, and I could not have done this without you, but honestly, I can’t believe it, it’s been the biggest privilege and honour, and I literally, I’m lost for words. I’m so sorry.”

Later, Karen took to her official Instagram account to thank fans, posting a photo with the glitterball trophy and writing, “Hi everybody! We did it! Karen, 38, pipped fellow finalists Amber Davies and George Clarke to the post as she scored 117 from three performances. We can’t, I honestly, we can’t believe it, but we just want to say thank you so, so much for all your support, all your votes, all your kind words, it means everything to me and Carlos. So thank you. Thank you so much.”

In a moment of tribute preceding the result, Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman watched a special montage of the series highlights. Craig Revel Horwood then read out a letter from Queen Camilla, delivered as a formal tribute to the show’s longtime presenters. The note thanked Tess and Claudia for their work and lauded the show’s spirit of friendship and community, saying in part: “Tess and Claudia, as you prepare to take your final twirl, I just want to say thank you on behalf of the millions who watch you each week. I have often thought that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about friendships, the bonds forged, the struggles overcome, and the joy shared in undertaking a joint endeavour. If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the greatest strictly partnership 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 have been utterly fabulous. I wish you both every success in wherever life’s journey takes you next, but as one who has appreciated its lifelong benefits, do promise us one thing, keep dancing. With the warmest gratitude and admiration, Her Royal Highness, Queen Camilla.”

The rating dip comes as the show continues to navigate a shifting audience landscape. While live slot ratings have trended downward, the BBC has emphasized that on-demand and streaming platforms are helping to broaden the program’s reach beyond traditional overnight figures. The final’s champion pairing, Karen Carney and Carlos Gu, earned praise from fans for their performances and improved chemistry across the series, underscoring the show’s enduring appeal even as live viewership moves. Critics and listeners alike will be watching whether the decline stabilizes in future editions or if the integration of streaming features leads to a broader, more stable audience in the longer term.