Strictly Come Dancing Winners Crowned in Glitzy Grand Final
This piece covers the result of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 culminating event.
Former Lioness Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly Come Dancing champion, becoming the first footballer to lift the coveted trophy.
She beat 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 professional dancer Carlos Gu, said: "I can't believe it, it's been the greatest privilege," before saying 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 the Queen among those offering praise to the long-running hosts.
In a message presented by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, compassion and sheer joy" had been at the core of the show's success, stating: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly brilliant".
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 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, garnering them a rapturous reception - and their second perfect score of the night.
But the victorious pair faced fierce rivalry from the other competing couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to grace the stage.
The couple 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'.
In another performance, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr performed again their Paso Doble to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle.
They also did their freestyle routine to 'Human' by The Killers, and a classical waltz to 'Somebody to Love' by Queen.
But after weeks of tangos, it was Carney and Gu's night as they topped the viewer poll.
"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 girls and boys watching at home, dream big and be proud and never give up."
Other memorable moments on the night included most of the cast of 2025 coming back for one more routine.
Yet, online figure Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had claimed earlier that the elimination process that saw him leave the show was unfair.
A representative rejected the claim, saying the show's audience vote was "externally monitored and verified to ensure complete fairness".
The group Five also performed a selection of their hits during the finale.
The Hosts' Last Final
In October, 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 first series 21 years ago. Winkleman joined in 2014, having hosted Strictly's companion program It Takes Two since 2004.
This was their final time presenting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with emotion as they signed off.
During the televised event, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were messages from TV cook Mary Berry, members of the production team 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 connections created, the struggles conquered and the joy shared in undertaking a joint endeavour.
"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly partnership 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 is broadcast on 25 December.
