'Strictly Come Dancing' Winners Spark Controversy Among Viewers

After weeks of sequins, sweat, and sensational spins, the Glitterball Trophy has found its new home — but not everyone is clapping. In fact, "Strictly Come Dancing's" latest finale has left fans more disapponted than festive.

The curtain has officially closed on Series 23 of "Strictly Come Dancing," with the 2025 finale airing Saturday, 20 December. The nation watched breathlessly as three dazzling duos — Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin, George Clarke and Alexis Warr, and Karen Carney and Carlos Gu — gave it their all in one final, glitter-soaked showdown.

In the end, Carney and Gu emerged victorious, leaving some fans stunned — and others absolutely outraged.

Emotional Victory: 'You Changed My Life'

Clips of the emotional crowning moment have swept across the internet: Gu breaking into tears as their names were called, and Carney, stunned speechless, clutching her partner in disbelief as the crowd erupted in cheers and the judges rose to their feet.

"I cannot believe it," Carney gasped in her thank-you speech. "I just want to say thank you to everybody that's supported our journey."

Turning to Gu, she added, "And thank you to this wonderful gentleman. We are a team and I could not have done this without you."

Gu's response was nothing short of heart-melting.

"Thank you, Karen Carney," he began. "I love you and thank you for being so incredible this whole journey. You taught me so much, and we are completely two different characters but we challenged each other, we helped each other, we never gave up on each other."

After expressing deep gratitude to the "Strictly" family and to the audience on and off-screen, Gu finished with a message that resonated far beyond the dance floor:

"To all the boys and girls out there, dream big, and be proud, and never give up because you never know!"

'Absolutely Fuming!' Outrage Explodes as Fans Slam the Final Result

But while the couple basked in confetti and congratulations, the internet was already ablaze with fury.

"Definitely the wrong winner," one blunt viewer declared. "Poor george was absolutely robbed [sic]," another fumed. "Absolutely fuming," snapped a third.

Even more fans unleashed their frustrations, calling the outcome a disappointment and accusing the judges — especially Craig Revel Horwood — of bias.

"I'm honestly gutted," one comment read. "I know people are gonna complain [...] but I felt like karen was really overrated and craig was refusing to give george a perfect score all night for no reason and this whole show is supposed to be most improved and it was absolutely George [sic]."

Another viewer summed up the disappointment by saying, "First year I can remember when we didn't get to see the best dance of the series in the final!"

The Ghost of Eliminations Past: Fans Still Mourn Lewis and Katya's Exit

The bitterness wasn't just about the top three — some fans were still mourning a shocking elimination from two weeks earlier.

"This just further proved that lewis is the best dancer in this cast :') he should have been in the finals at least [sic]," one fan wrote.

"Well the final was disappointing... George was robbed and lewis and Katya should have been in the final!!!" another echoed.

From 15 to 1: A Season Full of Sparkle, Drama, and Disappointment

It's hard to believe that just back in September, 15 celebrities laced up their dancing shoes and took to the "Strictly" floor. Over the course of weeks filled with stunning routines, emotional exits, and painful injuries, the competition was whittled down — leaving just three couples to fight for the trophy.

And while Carney and Gu's win may be official, for thousands of fans — the real winners never even made it to the final.

As we previously reported less than two weeks ago, the semi-final results show delivered a gut-punch to loyal viewers, as fan-favorite Balvinder Sopal was sent home.

A Stunning Dance-Off Ends in Heartbreak

On Sunday, 14 December, the "EastEnders" star and her partner Julian Caillon landed in the bottom two for a shocking sixth time, facing off against reality star Amber Davies and pro dancer Nikita Kuzmin.

Despite a fierce dance-off performance, the judges chose to eliminate Sopal — and the backlash was swift and scathing.

Viewers Lash Out: 'Always the Wrong People Voted Out!'

Loyal fans took to social media in droves to air their dismay.

One commenter wrote, "Very sad to see Balvinder go, she deserved to be in the final. I think she is a beautiful dancer, so graceful. She was often under marked and put through the dance offs, very unfair. Always the wrong people voted out, like Vicky Patterson and Lewis last week."

Another blasted the decision as unbalanced, "Amateur against professional 😡😡 Balvinder had no chance, yet she improved 1000% more than Amber over the competition."

A third chimed in with, "Balvinder is a brilliant dancer and it wasn't a level playing field. Such a pleasure watching her beautiful routines."

And the most stinging reaction of all? "Nikita made a clear mistake in that dance off! Have the judges got the same clip as us? Based on that dance off alone Balvinder should have gone through!" a fan fumed.

Tears, Pride, and One Last Samba

Just two days before their final performance, Sopal and Caillon looked back on their very first routine — a Samba — which, fittingly, was also one of their final dances.

Reflecting on her early nerves, Sopal admitted, "Listen, I'm so weak on those legs. Like, I have no conviction whatsoever. I can see it. It's all really shy and small."

But fans and judges alike saw a transformation over the weeks, as Sopal began to truly shine.

"Thing is, when you become aware of it, you've got to change it, right?" she said. "There were articles written after this. People were like, 'She's gone in the next week. She's gone. She's gone.' And we got through it."

In the end, she held her head high, adding, "I'm proud of us. I'm proud of the fact that Jullian has persevered with me."

A Finale Without a Favorite

Sopal and Caillon's departure clears the way for the final three couples: Davies and Kuzmin, George Clarke and Alexis Warr, and Karen Carney with Carlos Gu, all set to battle it out for the glittering trophy.

But for many viewers, the finale has already lost some of its sparkle. Sopal and Caillon's exit marks the second consecutive week a fan-favorite has bowed out of the competition.

As we previously reported, the quarter-final dealt a blow no one saw coming — and one that left "Strictly Come Dancing" fans across the country reeling in disbelief.

On Saturday night, 6 December, the ballroom lights shone brightly as five remaining couples gave it their all in hopes of clinching a coveted spot in the semi-final. But Lewis Cope and Katya Jones, once considered front-runners, were sent home in a result viewers branded an "absolute travesty."

'More Than I Could Have Ever Wished For': Lewis Bows Out With Grace

Despite the crushing blow, Cope, the "Emmerdale" star, remained gracious in defeat, emotionally reflecting on his journey. "It's been like, you know, more than I could have ever wished for," he began, admitting he never thought he'd last 11 weeks on the show:

"If someone had've said that I'd have done 11 weeks on the show at the beginning, I'd have been over the moon and I'd have snapped their hand off."

Cope praised "Strictly" for creating a space where contestants could be free, grow, and learn, calling his experience on the competition "a memory that I'll have for the rest of my life."

Turning to Jones, his voice wavered with emotion:

"And I think it's all down to you. You've literally give me absolutely everything I could have wished for. I couldn't imagine it with anybody else. So, thank you very much."

Katya Chokes Back Tears as She Declares: 'You Will Be Remembered'

When host Tess Daly turned to Jones for her final thoughts, the pro dancer didn't hold back:

"You have created so many moments for 'Strictly Come Dancing' that will be in history books. [...] You will be remembered, not just as one, if not the best male celebrity we have ever had on the show, but also [...] for an incredible person you are."

Fighting back tears, Jones praised Cope's humility, saying she was glad the world got to see both his talent and what a "beautiful person" he is.

'Strictly Has Lost Its Sparkle': Fans Left Furious Over the Elimination

While Cope and Jones took their exit with poise, outraged fans took to social media to express their devastation.

"I've been a Strictly fan since day 1 and honestly think this is the biggest shock/worst result I've ever seen 😢," one user wrote. "When I read the results this morning I've been in total shock ALL DAY 😰😰😰," another echoed.

A third was even more blunt, writing, "Utterly shocked and so dismayed with the whole series now. He was the best dancer!! How could he be in the dance off? How on earth did that happen!! Lost interest now!"

Another fan went further, questioning the entire voting structure, "I hate to say it but the public needs to have less of a say in the voting. Lewis was the best dancer the show has had in years. [...] An utterly disgraceful result."

'Katya Crying Broke Me': Judges Deliver Mixed Reviews Amid Final Dance-Off

Saturday's performance saw Cope and Jones tie with two other couples — George and Alexis, and Balvinder and Julian — all earning a score of 35. But their final routine failed to secure a unanimous nod from the judges.

Shirley Ballas remarked, "It wasn't your best dance, for me, by far," while Craig Revel Horwood agreed, adding, "We have seen you dance better."

In contrast, Anton Du Beke was more generous, telling Cope he had "incredible physicality," and adding, "All in all... I rather liked it."

Still, it wasn't enough to keep them safe. Cope and Jones landed in the bottom two, forced to face off against Amber and Nikita in the dance off — where the judges chose to save the latter.

Following their performance, Cope was faintly heard apologising to Jones, a moment that left many viewers heartbroken.

"Katya crying broke me. Love her to bits. What a travesty to be facing a final without your best couple who have brought some of the most memorable routines and moments to this series. The show just lost its sparkle," one fan lamented.

Loved Ones and New Hope: Girlfriend Rachel Lopez Weighs In

Following the show, Cope's girlfriend Rachel Lopez left a heartfelt comment under a performance clip:

"I am so beyond proud of you. Your strength is like nothing I have ever see. So beautiful inside and out. [sic]"

With just a few couples remaining, fans are now rallying behind former English footballer Karen Carney as their next best hope for the glitterball trophy — a spot once many believed would be Cope and Jones's.