Strictly Come Dancing Champions Crowned in Spectacular Live Finale
This report details the outcome of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 culminating event.
Ex- England footballer Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly winner, becoming the first footballer to lift the coveted trophy.
She beat reality TV star Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after winning the audience vote in Saturday's live final.
Carney, who was dancing with pro partner Carlos Gu, said: "This is incredible, it's been the greatest honour," before adding she was "lost for words".
It was an poignant night in the studio, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the last time - with the Queen among those paying tribute 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 happiness" had been at the core of the show's popularity, adding: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly fab-u-lous".
As usual, one of the dances in the grand finale was chosen by the judges, one was their own preferred dance from the competition, and the other was a freestyle routine.
The judges gave advisory scores but the public made the ultimate choice.
Carney and Gu performed dances 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 winning pair faced stiff rivalry from the other remaining couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to take to the dance floor.
The pair performed routines including a freestyle to 'Rain On Me' by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, a Paso Doble to 'Dream On' by Aerosmith, and a upbeat dance 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 Viennese 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.
"I just want to say thank you to everybody that has supported our experience, and supported us," said Carney.
Gu told her she had "been transformative," commenting: "To the girls and boys watching at home, dream big and be confident and never give up."
Other highlights on the night included the majority of the contestants of 2025 returning for one more routine.
Yet, online figure Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had alleged earlier that the vote that saw him leave the show was unfair.
A representative rejected the claim, saying the show's public vote was "independently overseen and verified to ensure total fairness".
The group Five also performed a selection of their hits during the grand final.
Tess and Claudia's Final Final
In October, 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 first series 21 years ago. Winkleman joined in 2014, having hosted Strictly's sister show It Takes Two since 2004.
This was their last time hosting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with feeling as they said their goodbyes.
During the live broadcast, 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 said: "I have often thought that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about relationships: the bonds created, the challenges conquered and the joy experienced in undertaking a joint challenge.
"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly pairing of all.
"The kindness, compassion and pure happiness you have projected with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's appeal."
Daly and Winkleman's final appearance will be the holiday episode, which airs on 25 December.
