Strictly Come Dancing Winners Crowned in Spectacular Grand Finale
This report details the result of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 final.
Ex- Lioness Karen Carney has been named this year's Strictly Come Dancing champion, emerging as the first professional soccer player to lift the coveted trophy.
She beat Love Islander Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after securing the viewers' vote in Saturday's grand finale.
Carney, who was dancing with pro partner Carlos Gu, remarked: "This is incredible, it's been the greatest honour," before adding she was "speechless".
It was an heartfelt night in the studio, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the last time - with Queen Camilla among those paying tribute to the long-running hosts.
In a note presented by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, empathy and pure joy" had been at the heart of the show's popularity, stating: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly wonderful".
As usual, 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 guidance scores but the public made the final decision.
Carney and Gu performed routines 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 football-themed jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, garnering them a rapturous reception - and their second perfect score of the night.
But the victorious duo faced fierce rivalry from the other remaining couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first 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'.
Meanwhile, 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 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, aim high and be proud and never give up."
Other highlights on the night included the majority of the contestants of 2025 returning for one more performance.
Yet, online figure Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had alleged earlier that the vote that saw him exit the show was unfair.
A representative denied the allegation, saying the show's audience vote was "independently overseen and checked to ensure complete fairness".
The group Five also performed a selection of their popular songs during the grand final.
The Hosts' Final Show
In October, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise announcement that they would be leaving their roles at the end of this year's series.
Daly has hosted since the first 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 full of emotion as they signed off.
During the live broadcast, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were recorded notes from celebrity chef Mary Berry, members of the production team and devotees of the show.
The Queen's message said: "I have often thought that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about relationships: the bonds forged, the challenges conquered and the happiness experienced in undertaking a shared challenge.
"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly partnership of all.
"The warmth, compassion and pure joy you have projected with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's appeal."
Daly and Winkleman's final show will be the Christmas special, which airs on 25 December.
