The world of ballroom and Latin dance has once again crowned its champions, delivering moments of pure emotion, athletic brilliance, and unforgettable stories. As of December 18, 2025, the most recent winners of the two biggest global dance competitions—the US’s Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) and the UK’s Strictly Come Dancing—have been announced, solidifying their place in dance history. These celebrity champions and their professional partners have earned the coveted Mirrorball and Glitterball Trophies, showcasing that dedication, heart, and a connection with the audience are the true keys to victory in the competitive world of televised dance.
The latest season finales have been particularly dramatic, featuring an inspiring win from a blind comedian in the UK and a stunning victory from an Australian wildlife conservationist in the US. The journey to becoming a winner is never easy, requiring weeks of grueling rehearsals, mastering complex routines, and battling injuries, but the payoff is a legacy cemented forever as a champion of the dance floor.
The Newest Champions: Robert Irwin and Chris McCausland
The most recent seasons of Dancing with the Stars and Strictly Come Dancing have produced two of the most memorable and beloved winners in the shows' histories. Their victories are a testament to overcoming personal challenges and capturing the hearts of the voting public.
Robert Irwin: The Second Irwin to Claim the Mirrorball Trophy (DWTS Season 34, 2025)
The US version of Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) crowned its Season 34 champions in a thrilling finale, with wildlife conservationist and television personality Robert Irwin taking home the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy alongside his professional partner, Witney Carson.
Robert Irwin Biography & Profile:
- Full Name: Robert Clarence Irwin
- Born: December 1, 2003 (Age 22 as of Dec 2025)
- Birthplace: Buderim, Queensland, Australia
- Occupation: Wildlife Conservationist, Television Personality, Photographer
- Known For: Son of Steve Irwin, co-host of Crikey! It's the Irwins, and working at the Australia Zoo.
- DWTS Professional Partner: Witney Carson
- DWTS Season: 34 (2025)
- Notable Fact: He is the second member of the Irwin family to win DWTS, following his sister Bindi Irwin, who won Season 21.
Irwin’s journey was marked by his infectious enthusiasm and remarkable improvement. Despite suffering a painful rib injury just before the finale, he and Carson delivered a stunning performance, earning a perfect score of 30 for their Freestyle routine, which was built around the song “Black Swan.” His win was a popular one, continuing the family legacy after his sister Bindi’s triumphant run. The partnership between Irwin and Carson proved to be a fan favorite, blending high-energy routines with deep emotional connection, ultimately securing the public's vote for the coveted Mirrorball Trophy.
Chris McCausland: An Inspiring Victory (Strictly Come Dancing Series 22, 2024)
Across the pond, the UK’s Strictly Come Dancing (SCD) saw comedian Chris McCausland and his professional partner Dianne Buswell lift the Glitterball Trophy in the Series 22 final in 2024.
Chris McCausland Biography & Profile:
- Full Name: Chris McCausland
- Born: 1977 (Age 47 as of Dec 2025)
- Birthplace: Liverpool, England
- Occupation: Stand-up Comedian, Actor, Podcaster
- Known For: His appearances on panel shows like Have I Got News for You and Would I Lie to You?
- SCD Professional Partner: Dianne Buswell
- SCD Series: 22 (2024)
- Notable Fact: McCausland is blind, having lost his sight completely about 25 years ago, making his journey and eventual win one of the most inspirational in the show's history.
McCausland’s victory was hailed as one of the most significant in the show's history, as he is the first blind contestant to win the competition. His ability to master complex choreography and timing without being able to see his partner, Dianne Buswell, or the floor was truly extraordinary. Highlights of their season included a memorable Quickstep and an energetic Cha Cha, which showcased their incredible partnership and McCausland’s dedication to the art of dance. His journey resonated deeply with the public, who voted overwhelmingly for the underdog, crowning him the celebrity champion of 2024.
The Complete History of Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) Winners (US)
Since its premiere in 2005, Dancing with the Stars has captivated American audiences, pitting celebrities against each other in a battle for the Mirrorball Trophy. The show has seen a diverse range of celebrity champions, from soap opera stars and athletes to reality TV personalities and musicians.
Here is a complete list of all the DWTS winners, showcasing the rich history and topical authority of the show:
- Season 1 (2005): Kelly Monaco & Alec Mazo
- Season 2 (2006): Drew Lachey & Cheryl Burke
- Season 3 (2006): Emmitt Smith & Cheryl Burke
- Season 4 (2007): Apolo Anton Ohno & Julianne Hough
- Season 5 (2007): Hélio Castroneves & Julianne Hough
- Season 6 (2008): Kristi Yamaguchi & Mark Ballas
- Season 7 (2008): Brooke Burke & Derek Hough
- Season 8 (2009): Shawn Johnson & Mark Ballas
- Season 9 (2009): Donny Osmond & Kym Johnson
- Season 10 (2010): Nicole Scherzinger & Derek Hough
- Season 11 (2010): Jennifer Grey & Derek Hough
- Season 12 (2011): Hines Ward & Kym Johnson
- Season 13 (2011): J. R. Martinez & Karina Smirnoff
- Season 14 (2012): Donald Driver & Peta Murgatroyd
- Season 15 (2012): Melissa Rycroft & Tony Dovolani (All-Stars Season)
- Season 16 (2013): Kellie Pickler & Derek Hough
- Season 17 (2013): Amber Riley & Derek Hough
- Season 18 (2014): Meryl Davis & Maksim Chmerkovskiy
- Season 19 (2014): Alfonso Ribeiro & Witney Carson
- Season 20 (2015): Rumer Willis & Valentin Chmerkovskiy
- Season 21 (2015): Bindi Irwin & Derek Hough
- Season 22 (2016): Nyle DiMarco & Peta Murgatroyd
- Season 23 (2016): Laurie Hernandez & Valentin Chmerkovskiy
- Season 24 (2017): Rashad Jennings & Emma Slater
- Season 25 (2017): Jordan Fisher & Lindsay Arnold
- Season 26 (2018): Adam Rippon & Jenna Johnson (Athletes Season)
- Season 27 (2018): Bobby Bones & Sharna Burgess
- Season 28 (2019): Hannah Brown & Alan Bersten
- Season 29 (2020): Kaitlyn Bristowe & Artem Chigvintsev
- Season 30 (2021): Iman Shumpert & Daniella Karagach
- Season 31 (2022): Charli D'Amelio & Mark Ballas
- Season 32 (2023): Xochitl Gomez & Valentin Chmerkovskiy
- Season 33 (2024): Joey Graziadei & Jenna Johnson
- Season 34 (2025): Robert Irwin & Witney Carson
The Legacy of the Glitterball: Strictly Come Dancing Winners (UK)
The original and longest-running version, Strictly Come Dancing (SCD), began in 2004 and has its own iconic prize: the Glitterball Trophy. The show is a cultural institution in the UK, known for its high production values and the dramatic journey of its celebrity contestants.
The list of SCD celebrity champions is a who's who of British television, sports, and music, all of whom have shown incredible dedication to learning the intricacies of ballroom dance.
- Series 1 (2004): Natasha Kaplinsky & Brendan Cole
- Series 2 (2004): Jill Halfpenny & Darren Bennett
- Series 3 (2005): Darren Gough & Lilia Kopylova
- Series 4 (2006): Mark Ramprakash & Karen Hardy
- Series 5 (2007): Alesha Dixon & Matthew Cutler
- Series 6 (2008): Tom Chambers & Camilla Dallerup
- Series 7 (2009): Chris Hollins & Ola Jordan
- Series 8 (2010): Kara Tointon & Artem Chigvintsev
- Series 9 (2011): Harry Judd & Aliona Vilani
- Series 10 (2012): Louis Smith & Flavia Cacace
- Series 11 (2013): Abbey Clancy & Aljaž Skorjanec
- Series 12 (2014): Caroline Flack & Pasha Kovalev
- Series 13 (2015): Jay McGuiness & Aliona Vilani
- Series 14 (2016): Ore Oduba & Joanne Clifton
- Series 15 (2017): Joe McFadden & Katya Jones
- Series 16 (2018): Stacey Dooley & Kevin Clifton
- Series 17 (2019): Kelvin Fletcher & Oti Mabuse
- Series 18 (2020): Bill Bailey & Oti Mabuse
- Series 19 (2021): Rose Ayling-Ellis & Giovanni Pernice
- Series 20 (2022): Hamza Yassin & Jowita Przystał
- Series 21 (2023): Ellie Leach & Vito Coppola
- Series 22 (2024): Chris McCausland & Dianne Buswell
The Enduring Appeal of the Dance Competition
The ongoing success of both Dancing with the Stars and Strictly Come Dancing lies in their ability to deliver compelling narratives. Whether it's the sheer athleticism of a former NFL star, the emotional vulnerability of a celebrity sharing a personal story, or the inspirational breakthrough of a contestant like Chris McCausland, the shows are more than just a dance competition; they are a showcase of personal transformation. The Mirrorball Trophy and the Glitterball Trophy represent not just a victory in a TV show, but a triumph of spirit and dedication.
The most recent winners, Robert Irwin and Chris McCausland, perfectly embody this enduring appeal. Irwin's emotional connection to the dance floor and his family's legacy, combined with McCausland's groundbreaking performances, have set a new standard for future contestants. The shows continue to thrive by finding celebrity contestants who are willing to push their limits, proving that with the right professional partners, anyone can become a ballroom champion.
As the dance world looks ahead to the next seasons, the bar has been set incredibly high. Fans eagerly anticipate which new celebrities will step onto the dance floor, face the judges (including the legacy of the late Len Goodman), and attempt to join this prestigious list of champions. The journey, the drama, and the spectacular winning routines ensure that the legacy of these dancing stars will continue for years to come.
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