Strictly Come Dancing Winners Crowned in Glitzy Grand Finale
This report details the outcome of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing championship.
Former Lioness Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly Come Dancing champion, emerging as the first professional soccer player to win the glitterball trophy.
She overcame reality TV star Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after winning the public vote in Saturday's live final.
Carney, who was paired with professional dancer Carlos Gu, said: "This is incredible, it's been the biggest honour," before adding she was "overwhelmed".
It was an poignant night in the ballroom, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the final occasion - with the Queen among those offering praise to the veteran hosts.
In a message presented by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, compassion and pure joy" had been at the core of the show's success, adding: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly brilliant".
As usual, one of the dances in the final show was chosen by the judges, one was their own favourite dance from the competition, and the other was a show dance.
The judges gave advisory scores but the viewing audience made the ultimate choice.
Carney and Gu executed dances including a freestyle to 'Inner Smile' by Texas, and an Argentine Tango to 'Red Right Hand' by Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds.
They also performed a football-themed jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, earning them a standing ovation - and their second perfect score of the night.
But the winning duo faced fierce competition from the other remaining couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to take to the dance floor.
The couple performed routines including a freestyle to 'Rain On Me' by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, a Spanish-inspired dance to 'Dream On' by Aerosmith, and a jive to 'Proud Mary'.
Meanwhile, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr reprised 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 topped the viewer poll.
"I just want to say thank you to everybody that has supported our journey, and supported us," said Carney.
Gu told her she had "changed my life," adding: "To the girls and boys watching at home, aim high and be confident and never give up."
Other highlights on the night included most of the contestants of 2025 returning for one more routine.
Yet, online figure Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had claimed earlier that the vote that saw him exit the show was rigged.
A spokesperson denied the claim, saying the show's public vote was "externally monitored and checked to ensure total accuracy".
The boyband Five also performed a string of their popular songs during the grand final.
Tess and Claudia's Final Final
In October, Daly and Winkleman made the shock revelation that they would be leaving their roles at the end of this year's season.
Daly has hosted since the first series 21 years ago. Winkleman joined in 2014, having fronted Strictly's companion program It Takes Two since 2004.
This was their last time hosting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with feeling as they signed off.
During the televised event, as well as the message from the Queen, there were messages from TV cook Mary Berry, members of the crew 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 friendships: the connections created, the struggles conquered and the happiness shared in undertaking a shared endeavour.
"Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly pairing of all.
"The kindness, care and sheer joy you have projected with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's success."
Daly and Winkleman's final show will be the holiday episode, which is broadcast on 25 December.
