Strictly Come Dancing Champions Crowned in Spectacular Live Finale
This report details the result of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 final.
Former Lioness Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly champion, emerging as the first professional soccer player to win the coveted trophy.
She overcame Love Islander Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after securing the public vote in Saturday's grand finale.
Carney, who was paired with professional dancer Carlos Gu, remarked: "This is incredible, it's been the biggest honour," before adding she was "overwhelmed".
It was an heartfelt night in the studio, 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 panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, empathy and sheer happiness" 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 chosen by the judges, one was their own preferred dance from the competition, and the other was a show dance.
The judges gave advisory scores but the public made the final decision.
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, garnering them a rapturous reception - and their second full marks of the night.
But the victorious duo faced fierce competition from the other remaining couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to take to the stage.
The couple delivered dances including a freestyle to 'Rain On Me' by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, a Spanish-inspired dance to 'Dream On' by Aerosmith, and a upbeat dance 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 topped the viewer poll.
"My sincere thanks go to everybody that has backed our experience, and supported us," said Carney.
Gu told her she had "been transformative," commenting: "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 coming back for one more performance.
However, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had alleged earlier that the vote that saw him leave the show was rigged.
A spokesperson rejected the allegation, saying the show's public vote was "independently overseen and checked to ensure complete accuracy".
The group Five also performed a selection of their hits during the grand final.
The Hosts' Last Final
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 first series 21 years ago. Winkleman came on board 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 full of feeling as they said their goodbyes.
During the live broadcast, as well as the message from the Queen, there were messages from celebrity chef Mary Berry, members of the crew and fans 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 bonds forged, the struggles overcome and the joy experienced in undertaking a shared challenge.
"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly pairing of all.
"The kindness, compassion and pure happiness you have radiated with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's success."
Daly and Winkleman's last ever show will be the holiday episode, which is broadcast on 25 December.
