Strictly Come Dancing Winners Crowned in Spectacular Grand 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 lift the glitterball trophy.

She overcame Love Islander Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after winning the audience vote in Saturday's live final.

Carney, who was paired with professional dancer Carlos Gu, remarked: "It's unbelievable, it's been the biggest privilege," before saying she was "overwhelmed".

It was an poignant night in the ballroom, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the final occasion - with Queen Camilla among those offering praise to the veteran hosts.

In a message presented 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 popularity, stating: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly brilliant".

As usual, one of the dances in the final show was selected by the judges, one was their own preferred dance from the series, and the other was a show dance.

The judges gave advisory scores but the viewing audience made the ultimate choice.

Carney and Gu executed 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, earning them a standing ovation - and their second full marks of the night.

But the winning pair faced stiff competition from the other competing couples.

Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to take to the dance floor.

The couple delivered 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'.

Meanwhile, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr performed again their Paso Doble to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle.

They also did their show dance to 'Human' by The Killers, and a Viennese Waltz to 'Somebody to Love' by Queen.

But after weeks of ballroom dances, it was Carney and Gu's night as they topped the viewer poll.

"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," adding: "To the girls and boys watching at home, aim high and be confident and never give up."

Other highlights on the night included the majority of the cast of 2025 returning for one more routine.

However, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had alleged earlier that the elimination process that saw him exit the show was unfair.

A spokesperson denied the claim, saying the show's audience vote was "independently overseen and checked to ensure complete fairness".

The group Five also performed a string of their hits during the finale.

The Hosts' Last 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 hosted since the inaugural series 21 years ago. Winkleman came on board in 2014, having fronted Strictly's sister show It Takes Two since 2004.

This was their last time presenting 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 devotees of the show.

The Queen's message read: "I have often thought 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.

"Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly pairing of all.

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

Daly and Winkleman's final appearance will be the holiday episode, which is broadcast on 25 December.