Strictly Winners Announced in Spectacular Live Finale
This report details the result of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 final.
Ex- England footballer Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly Come Dancing champion, emerging as the first professional soccer player to lift the coveted trophy.
She overcame reality TV star Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after winning the audience vote in Saturday's live final.
Carney, who was paired with professional dancer Carlos Gu, remarked: "This is incredible, it's been the biggest honour," before saying she was "lost for words".
It was an emotional night in the ballroom, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the last time - with the Queen among those paying tribute to the veteran hosts.
In a message read out by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, empathy and pure happiness" had been at the heart of the show's success, 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 chosen by the judges, one was their own favourite dance from the series, and the other was a freestyle routine.
The judges gave guidance scores but the public made the final decision.
Carney and Gu executed dances including a freestyle to 'Inner Smile' by Texas, and an Argentine 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 duo faced stiff rivalry from the other remaining couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to grace the dance floor.
The pair delivered 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'.
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 salsas and foxtrots, it was Carney and Gu's night as they topped the viewer poll.
"My sincere thanks go to everybody that has supported our journey, and supported us," said Carney.
Gu told her she had "changed my life," adding: "To the young people watching at home, aim high and be proud and never give up."
Other highlights on the night included most of the cast of 2025 coming back for one more performance.
However, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had alleged earlier that the vote that saw him exit the show was rigged.
A representative rejected the allegation, saying the show's public vote was "independently overseen and verified to ensure complete accuracy".
The group Five also performed a string of their hits during the grand final.
Tess and Claudia's Final Final
Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the shock revelation that they would be stepping down at the end of this year's season.
Daly has hosted since the inaugural series 21 years ago. Winkleman joined in 2014, having hosted 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 said their goodbyes.
During the live broadcast, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were messages from celebrity chef 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 forged, the challenges conquered and the joy experienced in undertaking a joint endeavour.
"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly partnership 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 appeal."
Daly and Winkleman's final appearance will be the holiday episode, which is broadcast on 25 December.
