Strictly Come Dancing Winners Announced in Glitzy Live Final
This report details the result of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing final.
Ex- Lioness Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly champion, becoming the first professional soccer player to lift the coveted trophy.
She overcame Love Islander Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after securing the viewers' vote in Saturday's live final.
Carney, who was dancing with pro partner Carlos Gu, remarked: "It's unbelievable, it's been the biggest honour," before saying she was "speechless".
It was an heartfelt night in the studio, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the last time - with Queen Camilla among those paying tribute to the veteran hosts.
In a message presented by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, empathy and pure happiness" had been at the heart of the show's success, stating: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly fab-u-lous".
Following tradition, one of the dances in the grand finale 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 viewing audience made the ultimate choice.
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, earning them a rapturous reception - and their second full marks of the night.
But the winning pair faced fierce rivalry from the other competing couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to grace the stage.
The couple performed dances including a freestyle 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 reprised their Paso Doble to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle.
They also did their show dance 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 won the public vote.
"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," adding: "To the girls and boys watching at home, dream big and be proud 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 exit the show was rigged.
A spokesperson rejected the allegation, saying the show's audience vote was "externally monitored and checked to ensure total accuracy".
The boyband Five also performed a selection of their popular songs during the grand final.
Tess and Claudia's Last Show
In October, Daly and Winkleman made the shock announcement that they would be leaving their roles at the end of this year's series.
Daly has presented since the inaugural series 21 years ago. Winkleman came on board in 2014, having fronted Strictly's companion program It Takes Two since 2004.
This was their final time hosting a Strictly final, and both were full of feeling as they signed off.
During the televised event, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were recorded notes from celebrity chef Mary Berry, members of the crew 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 friendships: the bonds created, the challenges conquered and the happiness experienced in undertaking a shared endeavour.
"Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly partnership of all.
"The kindness, compassion and sheer joy you have projected with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's appeal."
Daly and Winkleman's last ever show will be the Christmas special, which is broadcast on 25 December.
