Strictly Come Dancing Champions Announced in Spectacular Live Final
This article reveals the result of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 championship.
Ex- England footballer Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly winner, becoming the first professional soccer player to claim the glitterball trophy.
She defeated Love Islander Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after winning the public vote in Saturday's grand finale.
Carney, who was dancing with professional dancer Carlos Gu, stated: "This is incredible, it's been the greatest honour," before saying she was "lost for words".
It was an poignant night in the ballroom, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the final occasion - with Queen Camilla among those offering praise to the veteran hosts.
In a message presented by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, empathy and sheer happiness" had been at the heart of the show's success, stating: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly wonderful".
As usual, one of the dances in the grand finale was selected by the judges, one was their own favourite dance from the series, and the other was a freestyle routine.
The judges gave advisory scores but the public made the final decision.
Carney and Gu performed 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, earning them a rapturous reception - and their second perfect score of the night.
But the winning duo faced strong competition from the other competing couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to take to the stage.
The pair performed routines including a show dance to 'Rain On Me' by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, a Paso Doble 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 show dance 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 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," commenting: "To the young people watching at home, aim high and be confident and never give up."
Other highlights on the night included most of the cast of 2025 returning for one more performance.
However, online figure Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had claimed earlier that the vote that saw him exit the show was unfair.
A representative denied the allegation, saying the show's public vote was "independently overseen and verified to ensure total fairness".
The group Five also performed a string of their hits during the grand final.
Tess and Claudia's Final Final
In October, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise 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 came on board in 2014, having hosted Strictly's sister show It Takes Two since 2004.
This was their final time presenting a Strictly final, and both were full of emotion as they said their goodbyes.
During the live broadcast, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were recorded notes from TV cook 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 struggles overcome and the joy experienced in undertaking a shared challenge.
"Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly partnership of all.
"The warmth, care and sheer joy you have radiated with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's appeal."
Daly and Winkleman's final appearance will be the holiday episode, which is broadcast on 25 December.
