Strictly Come Dancing Champions Announced in Glitzy Grand Finale
This report details the result of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 championship.
Ex- England footballer Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly Come Dancing winner, becoming the first footballer to lift the coveted trophy.
She beat Love Islander Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after winning the public vote in Saturday's live final.
Carney, who was paired with pro partner Carlos Gu, remarked: "It's unbelievable, it's been the greatest privilege," before saying she was "lost for words".
It was an heartfelt night in the ballroom, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the final occasion - with Queen Camilla among those paying tribute to the veteran hosts.
In a note read out by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, empathy and pure joy" had been at the heart of the show's success, stating: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly brilliant".
As usual, one of the dances in the grand finale was chosen by the judges, one was their own preferred dance from the competition, and the other was a show dance.
The judges gave guidance scores but the public made the final decision.
Carney and Gu executed dances including a show dance to 'Inner Smile' by Texas, and an tango to 'Red Right Hand' by Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds.
They also performed a sports-inspired jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, garnering them a rapturous reception - and their second perfect score of the night.
But the winning duo faced stiff competition from the other competing couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to grace the stage.
The couple delivered dances including a freestyle to 'Rain On Me' by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, a Paso Doble to 'Dream On' by Aerosmith, and a upbeat dance to 'Proud Mary'.
In another performance, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr performed again their dramatic dance to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle.
They also did their show dance to 'Human' by The Killers, and a Viennese Waltz to 'Somebody to Love' by Queen.
But after weeks of ballroom dances, it was Carney and Gu's night as they won the public vote.
"My sincere thanks go to everybody that has supported our journey, and supported us," said Carney.
Gu told her she had "changed my life," commenting: "To the young people watching at home, aim high and be confident and never give up."
Other memorable moments on the night included the majority of the cast of 2025 returning for one more routine.
However, online figure Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had claimed earlier that the vote that saw him leave the show was rigged.
A spokesperson rejected the allegation, saying the show's public vote was "independently overseen and verified to ensure complete accuracy".
The boyband Five also performed a string of their popular songs during the finale.
The Hosts' Last Final
In October, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise revelation that they would be stepping down at the end of this year's season.
Daly has hosted since the inaugural series 21 years ago. Winkleman came on board in 2014, having hosted Strictly's companion program It Takes Two since 2004.
This was their last time presenting a Strictly final, and both were full of emotion as they signed off.
During the televised event, as well as the message from the Queen, there were messages from celebrity chef Mary Berry, members of the production team and fans of the show.
The Queen's message said: "I have often thought that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about relationships: the bonds forged, the challenges overcome and the happiness shared in undertaking a shared endeavour.
"Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly pairing of all.
"The kindness, compassion and pure happiness you have radiated with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's appeal."
Daly and Winkleman's final show will be the holiday episode, which airs on 25 December.
