Key Highlights
- Strictly Come Dancing star James Jordan calls for changes to the show as it ends its 2025 season.
- Karen Carney crowned winner of Strictly Come Dancing 2025 with professional partner Carlos Gu.
- Former show stars Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman confirm this will be their final year hosting the programme.
- James Jordan suggests making reality TV elements more authentic and introducing a public competition version.
The End of an Era: Strictly Come Dancing 2025 Wraps Up
Strictly Come Dancing, one of the most beloved dance competitions on British television, has come to an end for another year. On a chilly evening in early December 2025, Karen Carney was crowned the winner alongside her professional partner Carlos Gu. The victory brought mixed emotions to the audience and cast as it marked the final series fronted by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
The duo, who have been hosting Strictly for years, announced that they would be stepping away after this series, marking a significant shift in the show’s history.
As they transition out of their roles, speculation is rife about potential replacements. Names like Zoe Ball, Alison Hammond, and Alan Carr are being thrown around as possible successors.
Reflections on the Show’s Future
In an interview with BBC Breakfast, former Strictly star James Jordan shared his thoughts on what changes could bring new life to the show. Jordan highlighted that viewers want a more authentic experience behind the scenes and suggested making training room footage available for public viewing.
“I would maybe make the VTs a bit more authentic,” Jordan said. “I don’t want to see them going down to the cafe and having a chat about their dance. I want to see actuality, struggles, tears, elation when they get steps right, learning new lifts, struggling with one dance over another.
That’s what I want to see as a viewer now.”
Additionally, James proposed bringing in ordinary people for competition: “We learn to love celebrities that perhaps we don’t know well. Why can’t the public have a go as well? Bring the public in, and over the weeks, you learn to fall in love with their journey as well, that would be one idea.”
Final Thoughts on Tess and Claudia’s Departure
The final episodes of Strictly Come Dancing 2025 were filled with bittersweet moments. Jordan called it a “bittersweet” experience knowing that this will be the last time Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman host together. He also lamented the absence of Emmerdale star Lewis Cope in the finals, whom he hailed as one of the best celebrity dancers Strictly has ever had.
“I think Strictly is such an amazing show,” Jordan stated. “You could change everyone on the show, literally the judges, the professionals, bring in new people and it would still work because the format is just so brilliant.”
The future of Strictly Come Dancing remains uncertain as viewers await the announcements about the next season’s lineup and potential changes to the show’s structure. For now, fans will reminisce on this memorable final series under the guidance of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
