Strictly Come Dancing Champions Announced in Glitzy Live Finale
This article reveals the conclusion of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing culminating event.
Ex- Lioness Karen Carney has been named this year's Strictly Come Dancing champion, becoming the first footballer to claim the coveted trophy.
She beat reality TV star Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after securing the audience vote in Saturday's grand finale.
Carney, who was paired with pro partner Carlos Gu, stated: "It's unbelievable, it's been the greatest privilege," before saying she was "speechless".
It was an poignant night in the studio, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the final occasion - with Queen Camilla among those paying tribute to the long-running hosts.
In a note presented 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 popularity, adding: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly brilliant".
As usual, one of the dances in the final show was selected by the judges, one was their own preferred dance from the series, and the other was a show dance.
The judges gave advisory scores but the public made the ultimate choice.
Carney and Gu executed dances including a freestyle to 'Inner Smile' by Texas, and an 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, garnering them a standing ovation - and their second full marks of the night.
But the winning duo faced strong rivalry from the other competing couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to grace the stage.
The pair delivered routines including a show dance 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'.
In another performance, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr revisited 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.
"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 memorable moments on the night included most of the contestants of 2025 coming back for one more performance.
Yet, online figure Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had alleged earlier that the vote that saw him exit the show was rigged.
A spokesperson rejected the claim, saying the show's public vote was "independently overseen and verified to ensure complete fairness".
The group Five also performed a selection of their popular songs during the grand final.
Tess and Claudia's Last Show
In October, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise announcement that they would be leaving their roles at the end of this year's season.
Daly has presented since the inaugural series 21 years ago. Winkleman joined in 2014, having fronted Strictly's sister show It Takes Two since 2004.
This was their last time hosting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with emotion as they signed off.
During the live broadcast, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were messages from celebrity chef Mary Berry, members of the production team and devotees of the show.
The Queen's message read: "It has often seemed to me that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about friendships: the connections forged, the challenges overcome and the joy shared in undertaking a shared challenge.
"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly pairing of all.
"The warmth, 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 last ever appearance will be the Christmas special, which is broadcast on 25 December.
