Strictly Champions Announced in Glitzy Grand Finale
This article reveals the conclusion of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing championship.
Ex- England footballer Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly Come Dancing winner, emerging as the first footballer to win the coveted trophy.
She beat Love Islander Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after winning the public vote in Saturday's live final.
Carney, who was dancing with professional dancer Carlos Gu, stated: "It's unbelievable, it's been the biggest honour," before saying she was "speechless".
It was an emotional night in the ballroom, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the last time - with the Queen among those offering praise to the long-running hosts.
In a note presented by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, empathy and pure joy" had been at the core of the show's popularity, adding: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly wonderful".
As usual, one of the dances in the final show was selected by the judges, one was their own favourite dance from the competition, and the other was a freestyle routine.
The judges gave advisory scores but the viewing audience made the ultimate choice.
Carney and Gu executed routines 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 duo faced strong rivalry from the other competing couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to grace the stage.
The couple delivered routines 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 reprised their dramatic dance 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 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 backed 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 proud and never give up."
Other memorable moments on the night included the majority of the cast of 2025 returning for one more routine.
Yet, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had claimed earlier that the vote that saw him exit the show was rigged.
A spokesperson denied the claim, saying the show's public vote was "externally monitored and verified to ensure complete fairness".
The boyband Five also performed a selection of their hits 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 season.
Daly has presented 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 final time presenting a Strictly final, and both were full of feeling as they said their goodbyes.
During the televised event, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were messages from celebrity chef Mary Berry, members of the crew 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 struggles conquered and the happiness experienced in undertaking a joint endeavour.
"Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly pairing of all.
"The warmth, care and pure happiness you have projected with and from each other has been at the centre of the show's appeal."
Daly and Winkleman's last ever show will be the Christmas special, which is broadcast on 25 December.
