Strictly Champions Announced in Glitzy Grand Final
This article reveals the outcome of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 culminating event.
Ex- Lioness Karen Carney has been named this year's Strictly Come Dancing champion, becoming the first professional soccer player to lift the glitterball trophy.
She defeated reality TV star Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after securing the viewers' vote in Saturday's live final.
Carney, who was dancing with pro partner Carlos Gu, said: "I can't believe it, it's been the greatest privilege," before saying she was "lost for words".
It was an heartfelt night in the studio, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the last time - 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, compassion and pure joy" had been at the core of the show's popularity, stating: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly wonderful".
Following tradition, one of the dances in the final show was selected 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 final decision.
Carney and Gu executed dances including a show dance to 'Inner Smile' by Texas, and an Argentine 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 full marks of the night.
But the winning duo faced strong rivalry from the other remaining couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to grace the dance floor.
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'.
Meanwhile, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr performed again 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 tangos, it was Carney and Gu's night as they topped the public vote.
"My sincere thanks go to everybody that has supported our journey, and supported us," said Carney.
Gu told her she had "been transformative," commenting: "To the young people watching at home, dream big and be proud and never give up."
Other highlights on the night included the majority of the contestants of 2025 coming back for one more routine.
However, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had alleged earlier that the vote that saw him exit the show was unfair.
A spokesperson rejected the allegation, saying the show's audience vote was "independently overseen and verified to ensure complete accuracy".
The boyband Five also performed a string of their popular songs during the finale.
Tess and Claudia's Final Final
Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise announcement that they would be stepping down at the end of this year's season.
Daly has presented since the inaugural series 21 years ago. Winkleman joined in 2014, having hosted Strictly's companion program It Takes Two since 2004.
This was their final time hosting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with feeling as they signed off.
During the televised event, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were recorded notes from TV cook 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 struggles conquered and the joy shared in undertaking a shared endeavour.
"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly pairing of all.
"The warmth, care and pure joy you have radiated 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 airs on 25 December.
