The Strictly Come Dancing 2025 contestants featured a historic and diverse line-up of 15 celebrities, ultimately crowned by former England footballer Karen Carney and her professional partner Carlos Gu. The twenty-third series, which aired from September 20 to December 20, 2025, saw Karen Carney take home the Glitterball Trophy after a spectacular final against runners-up Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke. The 2025 cast made history with Ellie Goldstein becoming the first contestant with Down syndrome to compete, while the series also faced several unexpected exits, including the withdrawal of Dani Dyer and Stefan Dennis. This article provides an exhaustive recap of every celebrity participant, their professional pairings, the weekly elimination order, and the major hosting shake-ups that occurred as the series drew to an emotional close in late 2025.
The Strictly 2025 Winner and Finalists
The Grand Final of Series 23 was a high-stakes showdown that showcased the incredible technical progression of the top three couples. While the competition was fierce, one pair consistently topped the leaderboard throughout the quarter and semi-finals.
Winner: Karen Carney, the former Lioness, proved her athletic discipline translated perfectly to the ballroom. Partnered with Carlos Gu, her “Showdance” to a medley of empowering anthems secured the public vote on December 20, 2025.
Runner-up: Amber Davies, the Love Island winner and West End star, was a late addition to the cast but quickly became a frontrunner. She was paired with Nikita Kuzmin and was praised for her musical theatre precision.
Runner-up: George Clarke, the YouTuber and podcaster, represented the “dark horse” of the competition. Partnered with newcomer Alexis Warr, George’s charismatic performances helped him leapfrog more experienced dancers to reach the final.
Karen Carney’s victory was particularly significant as it marked Carlos Gu’s first win since joining the professional ranks. Their partnership was noted for its mutual respect and technical rigour, often receiving “10s” from judges Shirley Ballas and Motsi Mabuse for their emotional storytelling in the Argentine Tango and Paso Doble.
Full List of 2025 Contestants
The 2025 line-up was praised for its balance of sporting icons, soap legends, and digital-age influencers. Each contestant brought a unique “notability” to the ballroom, ensuring a wide demographic appeal.
| Celebrity | Known For | Professional Partner |
| Karen Carney | England Footballer | Carlos Gu |
| Amber Davies | Love Island / West End | Nikita Kuzmin |
| George Clarke | Social Media Star | Alexis Warr |
| Balvinder Sopal | EastEnders Actress | Julian Caillon |
| Lewis Cope | Emmerdale Actor | Katya Jones |
| Alex Kingston | Doctor Who Actress | Johannes Radebe |
| Vicky Pattison | Reality TV Legend | Kai Widdrington |
| Harry Aikines-Aryeetey | Olympian / Gladiator | Karen Hauer |
| Ellie Goldstein | Model & Campaigner | Vito Coppola |
| Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink | Premier League Star | Lauren Oakley |
| Stefan Dennis | Neighbours Icon | Dianne Buswell |
| Chris Robshaw | England Rugby Captain | Nadiya Bychkova |
| Ross King | TV Correspondent | Jowita Przystał |
| Thomas Skinner | The Apprentice Star | Amy Dowden |
| La Voix | Drag Queen Artist | Aljaž Škorjanec |
The professional cast also saw a refresh in 2025, with Alexis Warr and Julian Caillon joining the team. Their debut year was incredibly successful, with Alexis reaching the final and Julian making a strong impression alongside EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal before their elimination in the tenth week.
Withdrawals and Injury News
Series 23 was unfortunately marked by several high-profile departures that were not related to the public vote. These moments provided some of the most dramatic headlines of the 2025 season.
Dani Dyer’s Early Exit
Originally announced as one of the star signings for 2025, Dani Dyer was forced to withdraw before the live shows even began. After being paired with Nikita Kuzmin during the September 20 launch show, she suffered a severe ankle fracture during an intensive rehearsal session on September 23. She was replaced by Amber Davies, who had to learn her first routine in record time, eventually making it all the way to the final.
Mid-Series Departures
Neighbours star Stefan Dennis was a fan favourite but had to withdraw on October 20 due to personal reasons and health concerns. Later in the season, on November 22, the vibrant La Voix also withdrew from the competition. These exits meant that several weeks of the competition featured different elimination formats to ensure the finale date remained on schedule for December 20.
The Great Hosting Shake-up
As of April 2026, the biggest news surrounding Strictly is the search for new hosts following the departures of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman at the end of the 2025 series.
Tess and Claudia announced their joint exit in October 2025, stating they wanted to “leave on a high” after 14 years as a duo. Their final episode in December was a star-studded tribute featuring messages from fans and former contestants. Currently, names like Zoe Ball, Emma Willis, and Alison Hammond are heavily rumoured to take over the helm for the 2026 series. Zoe Ball, in particular, has recently teased a “glamorous new job,” leading many to believe she is the frontrunner to lead the show into its next era.
Practical Information and Viewing Recap
If you are looking to catch up on the 2025 series or prepare for the 2026 season, here are the essential details.
Where to Watch: Full episodes of Series 23 remain available on BBC iPlayer for UK viewers until the 2026 launch.
Tour Dates: The Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour 2026, featuring the 2025 finalists, typically runs from January to February in major arenas across London, Manchester, and Birmingham.
Tickets: Tickets for the live studio recordings at Elstree are free but distributed via a random ballot on the BBC Shows and Tours website, usually opening in August.
Voting: During the live 2025 shows, voting was conducted via the BBC website and phone. Each user was permitted three free votes per night.
Tips for 2026: Keep an eye on the official @bbcstrictly social media accounts in July 2026 for the first “teaser” trailers and host announcements.
FAQs
Who won Strictly Come Dancing 2025?
The winners of Strictly 2025 were former footballer Karen Carney and her professional partner Carlos Gu.
Why did Dani Dyer leave Strictly 2025?
Dani Dyer had to withdraw after the launch show because she fractured her ankle during a training session.
Who replaced Dani Dyer in the 2025 line-up?
Amber Davies, the West End actress and Love Island winner, stepped in as a late replacement and reached the final.
Are Tess and Claudia still hosting Strictly?
No, Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman officially left the show at the end of the December 2025 series.
Who are the new hosts for Strictly 2026?
The new hosts have not been officially confirmed as of April 2026, but Zoe Ball, Emma Willis, and Bradley Walsh are the top rumours.
Who was the first contestant eliminated in 2025?
Thomas Skinner and his partner Amy Dowden were the first to be voted off on October 5, 2025.
Did Ellie Goldstein make history on Strictly?
Yes, Ellie Goldstein became the first-ever contestant with Down syndrome to compete on the show, partnered with Vito Coppola.
Why did Stefan Dennis withdraw?
Stefan Dennis withdrew on October 20, 2025, citing personal reasons and health concerns following the first few weeks of training.
How many people were in the 2025 final?
There were three couples in the final: Karen & Carlos, Amber & Nikita, and George & Alexis.
Who were the judges for Series 23?
The judging panel remained unchanged, featuring Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas, and Anton Du Beke.
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