Strictly Come Dancing Winners Crowned in Glitzy Grand Final
This report details the result of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 championship.
Former England footballer Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly champion, becoming the first professional soccer player to claim the coveted trophy.
She defeated Love Islander Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after winning the viewers' vote in Saturday's live final.
Carney, who was dancing with pro partner Carlos Gu, said: "This is incredible, it's been the biggest honour," before adding she was "lost for words".
It was an emotional 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 read out by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, compassion and pure happiness" had been at the core of the show's popularity, adding: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly brilliant".
As usual, one of the dances in the final show was chosen by the judges, one was their own preferred dance from the series, and the other was a show dance.
The judges gave guidance scores but the public made the final decision.
Carney and Gu executed 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 remaining couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to grace the dance floor.
The pair performed dances including a show dance 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'.
Meanwhile, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr revisited 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 backed 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 proud and never give up."
Other memorable moments on the night included the majority of the contestants of 2025 returning for one more performance.
However, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had alleged earlier that the elimination process that saw him leave the show was rigged.
A representative denied the claim, saying the show's public vote was "independently overseen and checked to ensure total accuracy".
The boyband Five also performed a string of their hits during the grand final.
Tess and Claudia's Final Show
In October, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise revelation that they would be stepping down at the end of this year's series.
Daly has hosted since the inaugural series 21 years ago. Winkleman came on board in 2014, having fronted Strictly's sister show It Takes Two since 2004.
This was their final time hosting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with emotion as they signed off.
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 devotees of the show.
The Queen's message said: "It has often seemed to me that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about relationships: the connections forged, the struggles conquered and the joy shared in undertaking a shared challenge.
"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly pairing of all.
"The kindness, compassion and pure joy you have radiated with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's appeal."
Daly and Winkleman's last ever appearance will be the holiday episode, which airs on 25 December.
