Strictly Winners Crowned in Spectacular Grand Final
This piece covers the outcome of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 final.
Former England footballer Karen Carney has been named this year's Strictly Come Dancing winner, emerging as the first footballer to lift the glitterball trophy.
She overcame reality TV star Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after securing the audience vote in Saturday's grand finale.
Carney, who was paired with pro partner Carlos Gu, said: "It's unbelievable, it's been the biggest honour," before adding she was "speechless".
It was an emotional night in the studio, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the final occasion - with Queen Camilla among those paying tribute to the long-running hosts.
In a message presented by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, compassion and sheer happiness" had been at the heart of the show's popularity, stating: "On behalf of all viewers 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 preferred dance from the competition, and the other was a show dance.
The judges gave guidance scores but the viewing audience 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 standing ovation - and their second full marks of the night.
But the winning pair faced fierce competition from the other remaining couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to grace 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 jive to 'Proud Mary'.
In another performance, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr reprised 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 "changed my life," adding: "To the girls and boys watching at home, dream big and be proud and never give up."
Other highlights on the night included the majority of the cast of 2025 coming back for one more routine.
However, online figure Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had claimed earlier that the elimination process that saw him exit the show was rigged.
A spokesperson rejected the claim, saying the show's audience vote was "externally monitored and verified to ensure complete fairness".
The boyband Five also performed a string of their hits during the finale.
Tess and Claudia's Last Show
Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise revelation 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 final time presenting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with emotion as they said their goodbyes.
During the televised event, as well as the message from the Queen, there were messages from TV cook Mary Berry, members of the production team 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 forged, the struggles overcome and the joy shared in undertaking a joint endeavour.
"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly pairing of all.
"The warmth, care 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.
