Strictly Come Dancing faced another ratings setback on Sunday as the 2025 final drew fewer viewers than previous finales, marking the fourth straight year of decline. The live show concluded with former England soccer player Karen Carney and her pro partner Carlos Gu crowned champions, beating finalists George Clarke and Amber Davies.
The final’s overnight figure peaked at 8.4 million viewers, according to BBC data, but the overall audience remained below recent years. This year’s final also showcased the widely watched format of three performances per finalist—the judges’ choice, a show dance, and a favourite routine—before the winner was announced. While the broadcast drew a sizable audience, the fall compared with earlier editions underscored a continuing trend for the series. By comparison, last year’s finale peaked at 9.3 million and averaged 8.6 million, while in 2023 the peak was 9.7 million and the average 8.8 million.
A BBC spokesperson noted that overnight figures capture only part of the audience, with streaming on BBC iPlayer continuing to grow the show’s reach. The spokesperson said that “On Saturday’s overnights alone the Strictly final was the UK's most watched show by far, peaking with 8.4 million viewers for Karen and Carlos being crowned champions — nearly eight million more viewers than anything else on TV at this same time. Many more will stream via BBC iPlayer, where Strictly has grown its audience this year.”
Karen Carney said she was speechless at the win, recognizing the support from fans and her professional partner Carlos Gu. In a post-show moment, she thanked viewers and emphasized the teamwork that carried them through the competition, while host Tess Daly and judge Craig Revel Horwood delivered a special finale sequence that included a tribute from Queen Camilla. The queen’s message, delivered via a post-episode VT, lauded the show for building friendships, celebrating perseverance, and inviting the hosts to “keep dancing.”
The finale also served as a curtain call for Daly and Winkleman, who signaled the end of another season with an emotional goodbye to viewers. The Queen’s note highlighted the emotional arc of the contestants and the bonds formed across the series, underscoring the show’s long-standing place in British culture.
As the curtain fell on a year with what was judged to be a star-studded lineup, the ratings data released by the BBC pointed to a familiar trend for Strictly: strong live viewing remains, but overall audience size has not returned to the highs seen a few years ago. BBC executives indicated continued investment in the contest’s format and in additional streaming options to reach broader audiences, even as traditional overnight ratings trend lower. The show’s producers did not announce immediate changes to the format, focusing instead on presenting a finale that balanced drama with the familiar elements that audiences expect from the long-running ballroom competition.