George Clarke has finally shared his thoughts on Instagram following his runner-up finish on this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.
The 26-year-old content creator partnered with professional dancer Alexis Warr for the BBC competition, but it was former footballer Karen Carney and her partner Carlos Gu who lifted the glitterball trophy.
Reflecting on his journey, George admitted that finishing second was “hard to come to terms with,” though he emphasized the personal growth he experienced throughout the show.
Gratitude for Support Network
Alongside a heartfelt photo of himself and Alexis on the dance floor, George wrote about the support he received during the competition.
“Firstly, I’d like to thank my family, my friends, my girlfriend, all my internet pals, and anyone who showed any ounce of support.
I’ve realised I’ve got quite the support network, and for that, I will be forever grateful,” he shared.
He described the series as “a hell of an experience” and admitted that being the center of attention was a real challenge for someone used to creating content behind the camera.
Out of His Comfort Zone
George explained that the first few weeks on Strictly pushed him far beyond what he thought possible.
“Every week felt like such an alien movement, and no part of me believed I could create as good a dance as the other people in the competition,” he said.
“But that’s where I have to thank Alexis.”
He praised Alexis for helping him not just become a better dancer, but also a more confident person.
“Your pro is 99% of your process, and I’ve had the best and most formative four months of my life,” George wrote.
A Partnership Built on Trust
George went on to describe the bond he formed with Alexis, noting their friendship and trust made their performances stand out.
“She helped me discover some belief in myself, something that has really helped shape me as a person,” he said.
“Our partnering skills and lifts have been praised throughout the competition, and that’s down to genuinely becoming such good, but more importantly, trusting friends.”
He also admired how Alexis approached the show with humility, choosing to highlight her ability to work with him rather than show off her own talent.
Reflecting on the Finale
During the final, George performed three different dances, something he admitted would have seemed impossible at the start of the competition.
“Not only was there improvement, but I genuinely loved performing them,” he wrote.
“Strictly has gained a real gem and an asset in Alexis, and it was an absolute privilege to be her first partner.”
He also gave a shoutout to hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who were appearing in their final series after 21 years, calling them “incredible” and expressing gratitude for their support throughout his journey.
Looking Forward
Despite not winning, George revealed that he plans to continue dancing in some capacity.
“I hope that I can continue dancing because, in many ways, I don’t feel like I’m done,” he wrote.
“My body, however, will be on standby until 2026.
Thank you to everyone that made this incredible experience possible! Now let’s go make some internet stuff.”
Karen Carney’s Emotional Victory
As for the winner, Karen Carney was visibly shocked and emotional when her name was announced.
She hugged her professional partner, Carlos Gu, and expressed her gratitude to fans and supporters.
“Hi everybody! We did it!” she shared on Instagram, holding the glitterball trophy.
“We just want to say thank you so, so much for all your support, all your votes, all your kind words.
It means everything to me and Carlos.”
The finale celebrated not just victory, but the journeys of all contestants, leaving George Clarke and others with memories and lessons they will carry forward long after the show ended.
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