Strictly Champions Crowned in Glitzy Grand Final
This article reveals the result of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing culminating event.
Former England footballer Karen Carney has been named this year's Strictly Come Dancing winner, becoming the first footballer to claim the glitterball trophy.
She defeated 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, stated: "I can't believe it, it's been the biggest honour," before saying she was "overwhelmed".
It was an poignant 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 read out by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, empathy and pure joy" had been at the heart of the show's success, adding: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly brilliant".
Following tradition, one of the dances in the final show was chosen by the judges, one was their own favourite dance from the series, and the other was a show dance.
The judges gave guidance scores but the viewing audience made the ultimate choice.
Carney and Gu performed 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, earning them a standing ovation - and their second full marks of the night.
But the winning pair faced fierce competition from the other competing couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to grace the stage.
The pair performed dances including a freestyle 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'.
Meanwhile, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr reprised 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 topped the public vote.
"My sincere thanks go to everybody that has supported 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 the majority of the contestants of 2025 coming back for one more routine.
However, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had alleged earlier that the vote that saw him leave the show was unfair.
A spokesperson denied the claim, saying the show's audience vote was "independently overseen and checked to ensure total accuracy".
The group Five also performed a string of their popular songs during the grand final.
The Hosts' Last Final
Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise announcement 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 fronted Strictly's sister show It Takes Two since 2004.
This was their last time hosting a Strictly final, and both were full of feeling as they signed off.
During the televised event, as well as the message from the Queen, there were messages 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 relationships: the connections forged, the struggles overcome and the joy shared in undertaking a joint challenge.
"Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly partnership of all.
"The warmth, care and pure joy you have radiated with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's success."
Daly and Winkleman's final show will be the holiday episode, which is broadcast on 25 December.
