Karen Carney and Carlos Gu have been crowned the Strictly Come Dancing winners for 2025 after a dramatic and emotional live final. The victory marked a historic moment for the popular dance show and also signaled the end of an era, as long-serving presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman hosted their final weekend show together. Carney, a former England footballer, became the first professional football player to win the glitter-ball trophy. Her dance partner, Carlos Gu, also made history. He is the first openly gay and Asian professional dancer to win the competition. Their success was celebrated by viewers and judges alike. The final saw Carney and Gu compete against two other strong finalists. In the end, their performances and public support secured them the top prize. When the winners were announced, Carney appeared overwhelmed with emotion. She thanked fans and supporters who followed their journey throughout the series. She also praised Gu, calling him a key part of her success and stressing that their partnership made the win possible. Gu thanked Carney in return and spoke about how much the experience meant to him. He shared an encouraging message for young viewers watching at home, urging them to believe in themselves, be proud of who they are, and never give up on their dreams. The live final also marked a major change for the show. Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman confirmed earlier this year that they would step down as presenters. Daly has hosted the show for 21 years, while Winkleman joined her 11 years ago. Saturday night was their final time co-hosting the main weekend programme together. Before the winners were announced, a special video tribute played on screen. The montage featured messages from fans, friends, and well-known faces who thanked the presenters for their years of work. The tribute highlighted their strong partnership and the warmth they brought to the show. A message from Queen Camilla was also shared during the programme. The message praised the presenters for their friendship, kindness, and joy. It described the show as being about more than dancing, focusing instead on shared effort and connection. The message thanked Daly and Winkleman for the happiness they brought to viewers and encouraged them to keep dancing. Both presenters responded with gratitude. Daly thanked the audience for their long-term support and said the words meant a great deal to her. Winkleman said it had been a privilege to spend so many weekends with viewers over the years. The finalists each performed three dances during the show. One dance was a routine they had performed earlier in the series but improved after guidance from the judges. They also performed a show dance and their favorite routine from the season. Carney and Gu delivered a powerful Argentine tango inspired by the television drama Peaky Blinders. The judges awarded the routine a perfect score of 40 points. The performance was praised for its strong storytelling, sharp movement, and emotional impact. They later performed their show dance, which earned high marks, followed by a lively football-themed jive chosen as their favorite dance from the series. Their confidence and connection on the dance floor stood out throughout the final. Although Daly and Winkleman have stepped away from their regular presenting roles, they will return one final time. The pair will appear together in a pre-recorded festive special of the show, set to air on Christmas Day. The 2025 season will be remembered for its record-breaking win, emotional farewell, and moments of celebration. For many fans, the night captured the heart of what makes the show special. With new winners crowned and beloved hosts stepping aside, Strictly Come Dancing now enters a new chapter.