Strictly’s 2025 finale suffered a major blow that could spell disaster for the show going forwards.

Strictly Come Dancing’s viewership dropped this year. (Image: BBC)

Strictly Come Dancing’s glittering 2025 finale may have delivered plenty of emotion, but behind the scenes, the show faced a major blow as it suffered another significant ratings slide. Overnight figures revealed that Saturday’s live final drew a peak audience of 8.4 million viewers, continuing a downward trend that has now seen the programme’s finale audience fall for a fourth consecutive year. By comparison, last year’s final peaked at 9.3 million viewers, while the 2023 show reached a high of 9.7 million. The decline was mirrored across the wider series, with the 2025 run averaging 7.6 million viewers, down from 8.6 million in 2024 and 8.8 million two years ago.

Craig read out a letter from Queen Camilla to Claudia and Tess. (Image: BBC)

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The disappointing figures came despite a lavish final, which ultimately saw former England footballer Karen Carney crowned champion alongside professional dancer Carlos Gu, beating fellow finalists George Clarke and Amber Davies to lift the Glitterball Trophy.

Speaking moments after the result was announced, an emotional Karen thanked viewers for their support.
“We honestly can’t believe it,” she said. “Thank you so, so much for all your votes, all your kind words; it means everything to Carlos and me.”

However, a BBC spokesperson said: “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 8 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.”

Earlier in the show, attention shifted away from the competition as hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman were surprised with a moving tribute marking the end of their time presenting the series together.

After a highlights montage celebrating their years on the programme, judge Craig Revel Horwood stunned the studio by reading out a personal letter from Queen Camilla.

In the message, Her Majesty praised the presenters for the warmth and joy they have brought to the show, suggesting their partnership had been central to Strictly’s enduring success.

“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,” the letter read. “If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly partnership of all.”