Strictly Come Dancing Winners Crowned in Glitzy Grand Final
This piece covers the result of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing championship.
Ex- Lioness Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly champion, becoming the first footballer to win the glitterball trophy.
She beat Love Islander Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after winning the public vote in Saturday's live final.
Carney, who was dancing with pro partner Carlos Gu, stated: "It's unbelievable, it's been the greatest honour," before adding she was "lost for words".
It was an emotional night in the ballroom, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the last time - with the Queen among those paying tribute to the veteran hosts.
In a message presented by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, empathy and pure joy" had been at the core of the show's popularity, stating: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly fab-u-lous".
Following tradition, one of the dances in the final show was chosen by the judges, one was their own favourite dance from the series, and the other was a freestyle routine.
The judges gave guidance scores but the viewing audience made the ultimate choice.
Carney and Gu performed routines 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 sports-inspired jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, earning them a rapturous reception - and their second perfect score of the night.
But the winning duo faced strong rivalry from the other remaining couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to grace the stage.
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 revisited their Paso Doble to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle.
They also did their freestyle routine to 'Human' by The Killers, and a Viennese Waltz to 'Somebody to Love' by Queen.
But after weeks of salsas and foxtrots, it was Carney and Gu's night as they won the viewer poll.
"My sincere thanks go to everybody that has supported our experience, and supported us," said Carney.
Gu told her she had "been transformative," adding: "To the young people watching at home, aim high and be confident and never give up."
Other highlights on the night included the majority of the cast of 2025 returning for one more routine.
However, online figure Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had claimed earlier that the elimination process that saw him leave the show was rigged.
A spokesperson rejected the claim, saying the show's public vote was "independently overseen and verified to ensure total fairness".
The boyband Five also performed a selection of their popular songs during the grand final.
Tess and Claudia's Last Final
Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the shock announcement that they would be stepping down at the end of this year's series.
Daly has presented since the first series 21 years ago. Winkleman came on board 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 full of emotion as they said their goodbyes.
During the live broadcast, as well as the message from the Queen, there were recorded notes from celebrity chef Mary Berry, members of the crew and devotees of the show.
The Queen's message read: "I have often thought that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about friendships: the bonds created, the struggles conquered and the joy experienced in undertaking a joint endeavour.
"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly pairing of all.
"The kindness, care and sheer happiness you have radiated with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's success."
Daly and Winkleman's final appearance will be the holiday episode, which airs on 25 December.
