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The former England footballer Karen Carney and the professional dancer Carlos Gu have won the 2025 series of Strictly Come Dancing.
Carney is the first football player to lift the glitter-ball trophy while Gu becomes the first openly gay and Asian man to win the BBC One dance programme.
Saturday’s final also marked the last time the presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman co-hosted the live weekend show together after announcing in October they will be leaving the programme after 21 and 11 years respectively.
After she was announced as the winner, defeating the West End actor Amber Davies and the social media personality George Clarke, Carney, 38, said: “I can’t believe it.
“I just want to say thank you to everybody that has supported our journey, and supported us.
“Thank you to this wonderful gentleman, we are a team and I couldn’t have done it without you.”
Gu, 32, thanked the former Lioness midfielder and told her: “You changed my life.
“To the girls and boys watching at home, dream big and be proud and never give up,” he added.
Before crowning the series winners, a video tribute was played for Daly and Winkleman with messages from fans, friends and familiar faces including TV cook Mary Berry.
The judge Craig Revel Horwood later read out a message sent by Queen Camilla which said: “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 fab-u-lous.
“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: Keeeeeeeep dancing!”
Daly said: “Thank you so much to you all for your lovely words, it has meant the world.
“Thank you for the support you’ve shown over the years.”
Winkleman added: “It’s 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 favourite dance from the series.
Carney and Gu performed their Peaky Blinders-inspired Argentine 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 by Texas, receiving 37 points from the judges, before performing a football-themed jive to Blondie’s One Way or Another as their favourite dance.
Daly and Winkleman will return for their last appearance as a presenting duo in a pre-recorded Strictly festive special which will air on Christmas Day.
