EXCLUSIVE: The former footballer and partner Carlos Gu were crowned Strictly champions.

Karen Carney and Carlos Gu were crowned Strictly Come Dancing champions 2025 (Image: BBC)

Strictly Come Dancing winner Karen Carney, 38, was trying to process what her victory “might mean for the rest of her life,” as she and pro partner Carlos Gu, 32 were announced as this year’s champions. The former footballer turned TV pundit couldn’t immediately accept the result and had “fear in her eyes” as the realisation hit her. That is the verdict of celebrity psychic and body language expert Inbaal Honigman who analysed the finalists as the winner was announced. Karen was up against YouTuber George Clarke, 26, and his partner Alexis Warr, 25 and West End star Amber Davies, 29, and her pro Nikita Kuzmin, 27.

Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk after analysing the footage of the moment her name was announced Inbaal said: “When Karen heard her name, she paused for a long while, her face a picture of horror as her mind raced. Her mouth dropped in shock and her eyebrows raised in surprise, but it wasn’t purely shock. There was also an element of fear in her eyes, as her eyebrows draw together, uncomprehending. She might be thinking that there’d been a mistake, or that she misheard, or that it might be some other Karen. She went over different impossible scenarios before accepting she must have actually won.

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Speaking on behalf of Covers.com she continued: “She slowly raised her eyes to Carlos, as she questioned what was going on, and when she saw he was sobbing, dawned on her that this was actually happening.

“As she comforted the sobbing Carlos, we could see her eyebrows raised over his shoulder asking him if he’s alright before she turned to see everyone else.

“She was shaking her head from side to side in disbelief, and then held her hand to her forehead, trying to process the enormity of the situation. When Tess and Claudia caledl her over, she was apprehansive, walking slowly, lightly, and gazing to the side with some suspicion.

“Even when thanking everyone, Karen was still gazing from side to side, trying to process what’s going on, and what it might mean for the rest of her life,” Inbaal surmised.

Karen Carney and Carlos Gu’s fellow finalists looked on as they were crowned Strictly champions (Image: BBC)

While Karen struggled with her emotions Ibaal said her fellow finalists feelings had far more clarity. “Amber’s expression showed that, win or lose, she was happy with how she performed. Her chin was tilted upwards, showing pride.

“She was proud of her hard work, and she would not change a thing. Both her and Nikita’s lips were pursed as they looked at each other, as if sharing a secret smile. Her body language was truly happy,” she said.

“Meanwhile George looked at Karen like a proud dad. His hand on his hip shows how comfortable and confident he was about the results.

“He did not display any regret or dismay at not winning, his body language is easy and secure. Whether he came second or third, he does not mind,” Inbaal confirmed.