Carney Crowned Strictly Champion Amid Ratings Slide and Judging Controversy

LONDON, 27 January 2026 – Former England footballer Karen Carney and her professional partner Carlos Gu were crowned the winners of Strictly Come Dancing’s twenty-third series in December 2025. However, the triumph was set against a backdrop of declining viewer numbers and escalating criticism directed at the show’s judging panel, prompting calls for a significant refresh of the BBC’s flagship entertainment programme.

A Champion’s Journey

Carney, a respected football pundit, and Gu lifted the Glitterball Trophy on 20 December 2025 after a final that saw them compete against Love Island winner Amber Davies with Nikita Kuzmin and social media personality George Clarke with Alexis Warr. Their victory was sealed with a perfect-scoring Jive to Blondie’s “One Way or Another” in the final show. Carney’s win marked a consistent journey through the competition, often praised for her elegance and technical improvement, despite occasionally finding herself in the middle of the leaderboard.

The Controversial Semi-Final

The path to the final was not without drama. The semi-final week saw the elimination of EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal and her partner Julian Caillon. The couple had become notable for surviving a record five dance-offs during the series, a feat that ultimately ended in the penultimate week. Their exit, however, was overshadowed by a significant judging controversy. The leaderboard from the first semi-final dance resulted in a three-way tie for third place between Sopal, Clarke, and actor Lewis Cope, each scoring 35 points.

This tie was heavily criticised by former professional dancer Ian Waite, who suggested it was a “deliberate” ploy by the judges. Waite argued that creating a tie increased the likelihood that stronger dancers disliked by the public would face the dance-off, which ultimately led to the elimination of Lewis Cope the previous week. “It makes you think if there is something else going on – it’s just very cloak and dagger,” Waite stated.

Judges Under Fire

The scrutiny of judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas, and Anton Du Beke was a defining theme of the 2025 series. Viewers and commentators frequently took to social media to accuse the panel of inconsistent scoring, “over-the-top” behaviour, and critiques that did not match their paddle scores. During the semi-final, many fans expressed fury that Amber Davies received more critical comments yet a similar score to Balvinder Sopal, with one viewer posting, “I’m questioning the integrity of Strictly right now.”

This was not an isolated incident. Earlier in the series, the judges were labelled “dire” for their harsh scoring in the first live show, particularly for undermarking actress Alex Kingston. The criticism points to a growing perception that the judging has become increasingly unpredictable and at times contradictory.

Strictly Come Dancing 2025 Final Scores

Viewing Figures in Decline

The internal debates over judging occurred as the show faced a more tangible challenge: a steady decline in audience numbers. Overnight figures indicated the 2025 live final attracted a peak audience of approximately 8.4 million viewers, continuing a downward trend for the fourth consecutive year. This compares to a peak of 9.3 million in 2024 and 9.7 million in 2023. The average audience for the 2025 series was reported to be 7.6 million, down from 8.6 million the previous year.

This decline began to be noted in the 2024 series, where the launch show audience was nearly a million lower than in 2023. The trend has led industry observers to question the show’s current format and appeal.

Calls for a “Shake-Up”

In light of the ratings slide and persistent controversies, former professional dancer Ola Jordan has been among the most vocal advocates for change. Speaking after the 2025 series concluded, Jordan urged the BBC to heed the “warning sign” and implement a major refresh. Her proposals include replacing “half” of the current professional dancers, changing some judges, overhauling the voting system to avoid leaderboard ties, and even suggesting Anton Du Beke move into a presenting role.

“Let’s shake it all up,” Jordan said. “I think people are getting slightly bored, and the viewing figures are dropping. Let’s shake it up and do something different.” Her comments reflect a broader conversation about the future of the show as it moves into a new era without its long-standing hosts, Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won Strictly Come Dancing in 2025?

Former England footballer and pundit Karen Carney, dancing with professional Carlos Gu, won the twenty-third series of Strictly Come Dancing on 20 December 2025.

Why were the Strictly judges criticised so much in 2025?

The judging panel faced significant criticism for perceived inconsistent scoring, with viewers and ex-pros alleging that leaderboard ties were manipulated and that their critiques often did not align with the scores they gave. This led to accusations of unfairness and calls for the panel to be refreshed.

Have Strictly Come Dancing’s viewing figures dropped?

Yes, overnight ratings data indicates a steady decline in viewership for Strictly Come Dancing over recent years. The 2025 final was reported to have the lowest peak audience in four years, continuing a downward trend that began noticeable in the 2024 series.