Strictly Come Dancing 2025 has been a whirlwind for the contestants, especially the finalists, Karen Carney, George Clarke, and Amber Davies.
Speaking alongside their pro partners at a press conference, which Yahoo UK attended, the trio shared insight into what that journey has been like for them, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way. The stars will be taking to the ballroom on Saturday night to give it everything they’ve got one last time in a bid to win the glitterball trophy.
Davies, who was drafted in to replace an injured Dani Dyer, said: “I think it would be like, ‘What is the definition of winning?’
“Like for me, even just getting that phone call, I felt like I’d won. Being next to these two, I feel like I’ve won in life. I just think all I wanted to do during this experience was be present and to remember it for exactly how it was, not how it’s been perceived online, not what people’s opinions are of me.
Amber Davies spoke of how being on the show has helped her better understand the definition of winning. (BBC)
“I feel like I’ve been able to truly live in the moment and figure out how to do that, and I’m going to take that into the rest of my life.”
The Love island star explained that what she appreciated most, as well, was the way in which the team behind the scenes have taken care of the contestants: “I would say everything that Strictly team has done in terms of welfare, how much they take care of you and how much they take care of the professionals, there is a humongous machine of support that Strictly is and I think within the building it’s just gorgeous to see.”
“I feel like we’ve been really lucky, George, Karen, [and I],” Davies went on. “We actually are all each other’s No. 1 fans. So we’ve got support coming from our families and friends, but there is a lot of support within the building.”
Strictly’s George Clarke said being on the series has helped him learn to live the dance, rather than overthink it. (BBC/Guy Levy)
For Clarke, being on Strictly has helped him learn not to take himself too seriously and live in the moment in a dance, saying that one piece of advice from judge Anton DuBeke has really stuck with him.
“It was Halloween, and I think Anton said ‘Alexis believes in you, we all believe in you, you just need to believe in you’ and I sort of took a step back and I was like, ‘I’m six weeks in here and I feel like I’ve not done a dance yet where I’ve got lost in it, and I’ve not been in my head thinking put your hip there, put this there.’
And I feel like the Viennese Waltz was the week after that, and I felt like that was the first time that I fully got invested in the dance and performed a little. I think since then it was a bit of a turning point, so that’s the bit of feedback that sticks with me.”
He added, “I think I’ve sort of learned how to put my personality across in dancing. I think at the start I focused way too much on technique and just ‘That needs to go there, that needs to go there,’ and that’s all I was thinking about as opposed to just enjoying it, which is ultimately why people dance, because it’s fun.”
His partner, Warr, added: “It was a journey to kind of get him out of his head and start tuning into his heart and feeling of the dances and trying to be a compass to the stories and the feeling rather than the technicalities. And so I think that’s been a big pillar for me, just seeing his transformation and growth, and also just seeing him be more confident in himself.
“And it’s cool because even knowing his story and talking to his family when he was younger of just being that shy introverted kid in the corner and just doesn’t really speak, and then just doing videos [on YouTube] really got him out of his shell brought him into his confidence, and then now that’s what you’re known for and you’ve made such an amazing platform that inspired so many people.
Karen Carney has grown in confidence thanks to the show. (BBC/Guy Levy)
“From that to now, you’re in Strictly, and seeing him a little reserved at first and then just seeing him blossom and be this light and make people feel something. It’s been so incredibly special to watch, and I don’t think there are enough words that can describe that.”
The YouTuber remarked that being on a mainstream primetime TV show is very different to his work on social media, as the latter is “a much more raw thing”.
“You’ve got one person who’s video it is,” he says. “And that’s sort of the only operation [but] this is such a huge thing. And I feel like what’s different is it’s something that my family can properly understand; they’ve always been very supportive, but they don’t really know what [it is I do].”
Amber Davies also shared her happiness at the support the stars get on and off camera. (BBC)
While for Carney, the show has been all about finding herself again. The footballer has been quite open about how joining Strictly has helped her develop her confidence: “It’s by far the happiest I’ve ever been. I’ve smiled like I’ve never smiled before, and I’m forever grateful to the show and to Carlos for that.
“For me, that is enough. Strictly gives so much to people, and so when we dance we feel, I feel particularly from watching it, I have a responsibility to give it everything and smile because I know when I was sitting on the sofa, it’s helped me. So I believe I have that responsibility to give that back to everyone at home.
“I remember in the beginning when I met her,” Gu said. “She was not confident, [she was] insecure, and I was like, ‘Karen, this journey with us is not about dancing for me. I want you to transform from a caterpillar into a butterfly. I want you, by the end of the journey, to be able to walk into a room and people see you, and you seize them with full confidence.’
“That’s my goal. Not about dancing, but with how much you learn about yourself, how much you can change in yourself physically and mentally, and she done this so well, and I think we’ve all seen her become a princess.”
The Strictly Come Dancing final premieres on Saturday, 20 December at 7pm on BBC One.