Strictly’s Karen Carney issues first message moments after history-making win with Carlos Gu

The former footballer and professional dancer Carlos Gu won the 2025 series of Strictly Come Dancing

Karen Carney has shared her first message just moments after she and professional dancer Carlos Gu won the 2025 series of Strictly Come Dancing.

The pair made Strictly history as Karen became the first footballer to lift the glitterball trophy while Carlos became the first openly gay and Asian man to win the BBC One dance programme.

Karen and Carlos triumphed in the public vote against actress and West End star Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke, who also made it to the final of Strictly’s 23rd series alongside their pro partners, Nikita Kuzmin and Alexis Warr, who only made her debut on the show this year.

After she was announced as the winner, Karen 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. It’s been the biggest privilege and honour. I’m literally lost for words, I’m so sorry.”

Professional dancer Carlos then told her: “I love you and thank you for being so incredible this whole journey, you taught me so much, and we are completely two different characters, but we challenged each other, we helped each other. We never gave up on each other.

“And thank you for changing my life.” He added: “To the boys and girls at home watching this dream big and be proud and never give up, because you never know.”

It didn’t take Karen long to express her thanks again, as she took to social media with her first message since being crowned Strictly’s 2025 champion. Alongside pictures of her and Carlos’ winning moment, she simply shared: “Wowwww [face holding back tears emoji]. Still in shock we can’t believe it, thank you all so so much.”

It comes as the evening also marked the final time presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman co-hosted the live weekend show together after announcing in October that they will be leaving the programme after more than a decade fronting the beloved entertainment programme.

Before crowning the series winners, a video tribute was played for departing co-hosts Tess and Claudia, with messages from fans, friends and familiar faces including TV cook Mary Berry.

Judge Craig Revel Horwood later read out a message sent by the Queen 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!”