Strictly Come Dancing Champions Announced in Glitzy Grand Final

This article reveals the outcome of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 championship.

Former Lioness Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly Come Dancing winner, becoming the first footballer to lift the coveted trophy.

She overcame reality TV star Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after securing the public vote in Saturday's live final.

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

It was an heartfelt night in the ballroom, 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 note presented by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, compassion and sheer happiness" had been at the core of the show's popularity, stating: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly brilliant".

Following tradition, one of the dances in the grand finale was selected by the judges, one was their own preferred dance from the competition, and the other was a show dance.

The judges gave advisory scores but the public made the ultimate choice.

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 sports-inspired jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, garnering them a rapturous reception - and their second perfect score of the night.

But the victorious duo faced strong competition from the other remaining couples.

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

The couple performed routines 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 upbeat dance to 'Proud Mary'.

In another performance, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr performed again their dramatic dance 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 won the viewer poll.

"My sincere thanks go to everybody that has backed our journey, and supported us," said Carney.

Gu told her she had "been transformative," commenting: "To the young people watching at home, aim high and be confident and never give up."

Other memorable moments on the night included most of the cast of 2025 returning for one more performance.

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

A spokesperson rejected the claim, saying the show's audience vote was "externally monitored and verified to ensure complete accuracy".

The boyband Five also performed a string of their popular songs during the finale.

Tess and Claudia's Last Show

Earlier this year, 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 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 presenting a Strictly final, and both were full of emotion as they signed off.

During the televised event, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were messages from TV cook Mary Berry, members of the crew and fans of the show.

The Queen's message read: "I have often thought that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about friendships: the bonds forged, the challenges conquered and the joy shared in undertaking a joint challenge.

"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly partnership of all.

"The kindness, compassion and sheer happiness you have projected with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's success."

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