Strictly Come Dancing Champions Crowned in Glitzy Live Finale

This report details the outcome of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing championship.

Ex- England footballer Karen Carney has been named this year's Strictly winner, emerging as the first professional soccer player to claim the coveted trophy.

She overcame reality TV star Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after securing the audience vote in Saturday's grand finale.

Carney, who was paired with pro partner Carlos Gu, remarked: "It's unbelievable, it's been the greatest honour," before adding she was "overwhelmed".

It was an emotional night in the studio, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the final occasion - 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 "kindness, empathy and sheer happiness" had been at the heart of the show's success, adding: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly wonderful".

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 advisory scores but the viewing audience made the final decision.

Carney and Gu executed dances 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 football-themed jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, earning 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 take to the dance floor.

The couple 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 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 ballroom dances, it was Carney and Gu's night as they won the viewer poll.

"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 young people watching at home, aim high and be proud and never give up."

Other memorable moments on the night included most of the contestants of 2025 coming back for one more routine.

However, online figure Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had claimed earlier that the vote that saw him leave the show was rigged.

A spokesperson denied the allegation, saying the show's public vote was "independently overseen and verified to ensure total accuracy".

The group Five also performed a string of their popular songs during the grand final.

Tess and Claudia's Last Show

In October, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise revelation that they would be stepping down at the end of this year's season.

Daly has hosted since the first series 21 years ago. Winkleman joined in 2014, having hosted Strictly's companion program It Takes Two since 2004.

This was their final time hosting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with emotion as they said their goodbyes.

During the televised event, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were messages from TV cook Mary Berry, members of the production team and devotees 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 relationships: the connections created, the challenges overcome and the happiness shared in undertaking a shared endeavour.

"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly pairing of all.

"The warmth, compassion and pure joy you have radiated with and from each other has been at the centre of the show's success."

Daly and Winkleman's last ever appearance will be the Christmas special, which is broadcast on 25 December.