🚨 BREAKING: Football legend Karen Carney sent the entire UK into meltdown, dancing her way straight to the top and being crowned Strictly Come Dancing 2025 champion in a tear-soaked, emotional finale. But the shock didn’t stop there: Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman choked back tears as they said goodbye after 21 glittering years filled with lights, drama, and scandal… 🔥 What happened behind the scenes is what truly left the entire studio in stunned silence. Read more👇👇
In a night of pure glitterball magic, heart-pounding drama, and enough tears to fill the Blackpool Tower Ballroom, former England footballer Karen Carney has been crowned the champion of Strictly Come Dancing 2025! The 38-year-old sports pundit, who swapped her football boots for dancing shoes, lifted the coveted Glitterball Trophy alongside her professional partner Carlos Gu in a finale that had viewers across the nation on the edge of their seats – and reaching for the tissues.
As the confetti rained down and the crowd erupted in thunderous applause, Karen, looking every inch the glamorous queen in her sparkling gown, could barely contain her shock. ‘I cannot believe it!’ she gasped, clutching Carlos in a heartfelt hug that spoke volumes about their unbreakable bond. ‘Thank you to everybody that’s supported our journey… thank you to this wonderful gentleman. We are a team, and I could not have done this without you. I’m lost for words!’ Oh, Karen, we’re all lost for words too – what a triumph!
But this wasn’t just any finale. No, darlings, this was the end of an era. Hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, the dynamic duo who’ve been the beating heart of Strictly for over two decades, bowed out in style, leaving fans devastated and the ballroom soaked in emotion. Tess, 56, stunning in a rose-gold sequined dress with a thigh-high slit that screamed ‘fabulous at any age,’ and Claudia, 53, in her signature black jacket emblazoned with ‘Keep Dancing’ on the back, opened the show with their trademark warmth. ‘Back in September, 15 celebrities took to the dance floor,’ Tess announced, her voice steady but her eyes glistening. ‘And after one of our most exciting competitions ever, just three remain. Amber, George, and Karen are your finalists, and tonight you decide who will be crowned Strictly champions.’
The night was packed with jaw-dropping performances, nail-biting scores, and enough twists to rival a soap opera. The three finalists – Love Island star Amber Davies with Nikita Kuzmin, architect George Clarke with Alexis Sanchez, and our heroine Karen with Carlos – each delivered three routines: a judges’ choice, a show dance, and their favourite from the series. And let’s just say, the judges didn’t hold back!
First up was Amber and Nikita with their Paso Doble to Aerosmith’s ‘Dream On,’ hand-picked by head judge Shirley Ballas. The pair sizzled across the floor, but Craig Revel Horwood, ever the villain we love to hate, docked a point, giving them 39. ‘It was fierce, darling, but a tad over-dramatic,’ he quipped. George and Alexis followed with a graceful Viennese Waltz to Queen’s ‘Somebody to Love,’ chosen by Anton Du Beke – another 39, with Craig again playing Scrooge.
Then came Karen and Carlos, channeling the gritty world of Peaky Blinders – Karen’s all-time favourite show – with an Argentine Tango to Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds’ ‘Red Right Hand.’ Oh, what a scorcher! The chemistry was electric, the footwork flawless, and the judges were in rapture. Motsi Mabuse, who selected the dance, beamed: ‘You owned that floor!’ A perfect 40 – the first of the night! In the audience, Karen’s proud supporters, including hubby Vernon Kay (wait, no – actually, Karen’s single, but more on her personal life later), cheered wildly.
But the drama didn’t stop there. After quick outfit changes – Amber in a rain-slicked ensemble, George looking dapper in black, and Karen radiant in red – it was show dance time. Amber and Nikita’s routine to Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande’s ‘Rain On Me’ was a whirlwind of tricks, but Craig called it ‘a bit gimmicky,’ scoring 39. George and Alexis danced to The Killers’ ‘Human,’ with Shirley hailing George as a ‘zero to hero’ transformation – 39 again.
Karen and Carlos’s show dance to Texas’ ‘Inner Smile’ was meant to be their crowning glory, but disaster struck! Despite the energy, Craig slammed it as ‘lackluster,’ handing out an 8 for a total of 37. Gasps echoed around the studio. ‘I felt it went flat in places,’ he said, as fans at home fumed. How could this be? Karen, the underdog footballer turned dancing dynamo, now at the bottom of the leaderboard?
Thankfully, the favourite dances redeemed everything. Amber and Nikita’s Jive to Tina Turner’s ‘Proud Mary’ was pure fire – perfect 40! George and Alexis’s Paso Doble to Ruelle’s ‘Game of Survival’ earned 39. But Karen and Carlos saved the best for last: their Jive to Blondie’s ‘One Way or Another,’ complete with a sequined football kit nodding to Karen’s sporting roots. It was fun, fierce, and fabulous – another perfect 40! Upstairs with Claudia, Carlos broke down in tears, admitting he hadn’t been a ‘team player’ before Karen. ‘She changed me,’ he sobbed. ‘I was partnerless last year, but she made me believe again.’
The final tallies? Amber: 118. George: 117. Karen: 117. It all came down to the public vote – and the nation chose Karen! As Tess and Claudia announced the result, the studio exploded. Karen, tears streaming, lifted the trophy high, making history as the first footballer to win Strictly. Carlos, the first Asian and openly gay pro to claim the crown, beamed with pride.
But the real waterworks came earlier with the tribute to Tess and Claudia. A montage of highlights played, featuring messages from celebs like Mary Berry and even a letter from Queen Camilla, read by Craig: ‘Your warmth, compassion, and sheer happiness have brought joy to millions. You are the greatest Strictly partnership of all. Keep dancing!’ Tess, who started in 2004 pregnant with her daughter Phoebe (now in the audience), choked up: ‘It’s been the ride of a lifetime.’ Claudia added: ‘What a privilege.’ Fans on social media were heartbroken: ‘End of an era!’ one tweeted. ‘Tess and Claud forever!’
Now, let’s rewind to how this football icon became a dancing sensation. Born Karen Julia Carney on August 1, 1987, in Birmingham, she’s from a humble working-class family – mum at Sainsbury’s, dad a firefighter. Nicknamed ‘The Wizard’ for her magical footwork, Karen’s career kicked off at Birmingham City at just 14. She scooped FA National Young Player of the Year twice, then dazzled at Arsenal, winning the quadruple in 2006-07, including the UEFA Women’s Cup.
A stint in the US with Chicago Red Stars followed, before returning to Birmingham for more glory, like the 2012 FA Women’s Cup. At Chelsea from 2015-2019, she captained the side to titles, earning Player of the Year in 2016. Internationally, with 144 England caps (second only to Fara Williams at retirement), she starred in four World Cups and Olympics, scoring that epic last-minute winner at Euro 2005.
Retiring in 2019, Karen transitioned seamlessly to punditry – TNT Sports, Sky, ITV, Amazon Prime, you name it. She’s a columnist for BBC Sport and The Guardian, co-created a program for retired female footballers, and chaired a government review on women’s football. Oh, and she’s a vegan, crediting it for boosting her health. With degrees in sports science, psychology, and an MBA, she’s brains and brawn!
But Strictly? Announced in August 2025 as part of series 23, Karen was paired with Carlos Gu, the charismatic pro known for his flair. From week one, their partnership sparked – a Waltz to Whitney Houston’s ‘One Moment in Time’ scored high, with judges praising Karen’s elegance despite her ‘footballer legs.’ Week two’s Cha Cha had fans raving: ‘She’s a natural!’
The journey wasn’t without bumps. In Musicals Week, a minor ankle tweak from her football days flared up, but Karen powered through a Foxtrot inspired by Wicked. ‘Pain is temporary, glory is forever!’ she quipped. Blackpool Week was electric – their Samba to Shakira had the Tower Ballroom shaking. Semi-finals saw a near-elimination scare against Amber, but public votes saved them.
Throughout, Karen’s confidence soared. ‘Dance has rebuilt me,’ she told Lorraine Kelly in a tearful interview. ‘After retiring, I felt lost. Carlos brought out a side I didn’t know existed.’ Carlos echoed: ‘She’s my rock. We laugh, we cry – it’s family.’
Reactions poured in post-win. On X (formerly Twitter), fans gushed: ‘Richly deserved! A credit to Birmingham!’ tweeted Mark Galloway. Vegan advocate Lyn Wright cheered: ‘A VEGAN WINS! ❤️’ Even Queen Camilla’s letter added royal sparkle. But not all were thrilled – one skeptic tweeted: ‘Who is she? Rubbish show!’ Yet, the love outweighed the hate.
Celebs chimed in too. Fellow Lioness Alex Scott posted: ‘Proud of you, Kaz! From pitch to dancefloor – unstoppable!’ Gary Lineker joked: ‘Better footwork than half the Premier League!’ And from the Strictly family, last year’s winner quipped: ‘Welcome to the club!’
As for the future? Karen’s already eyeing more TV gigs, perhaps a sports-dance crossover show. ‘This has opened doors,’ she said. Carlos? ‘We’ll dance forever!’ And with Tess and Claudia’s festive special on Christmas Day, the sparkle lingers.
What a series! Scandals? Minimal this year – no backstage rows like yesteryear. But the emotion? Off the charts. Karen Carney, from Solihull schoolgirl to Glitterball goddess – proof that dreams do come true. Keep dancing, everyone!
