Strictly Winners Announced in Glitzy Grand Finale
This article reveals the result of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 championship.
Former England footballer Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly winner, emerging as the first footballer to win the glitterball trophy.
She beat Love Islander Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after securing the public vote in Saturday's live final.
Carney, who was dancing with pro partner Carlos Gu, remarked: "It's unbelievable, it's been the greatest privilege," before adding she was "speechless".
It was an heartfelt night in the studio, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the final occasion - with Queen Camilla among those offering praise to the veteran hosts.
In a note read out by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, 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 fab-u-lous".
As usual, one of the dances in the grand finale was selected 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 final decision.
Carney and Gu executed dances including a show dance 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 standing ovation - and their second perfect score of the night.
But the victorious duo faced strong rivalry from the other remaining couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to take to the dance floor.
The couple delivered routines including a show dance 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 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 topped 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," commenting: "To the girls and boys watching at home, aim high and be proud 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 appear. He had alleged 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 string of their hits during the finale.
The Hosts' Final Show
In October, Daly and Winkleman made the shock revelation that they would be leaving their roles at the end of this year's series.
Daly has hosted since the inaugural series 21 years ago. Winkleman came on board in 2014, having hosted Strictly's companion program It Takes Two since 2004.
This was their last time presenting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with feeling 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 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 connections forged, the struggles conquered and the happiness experienced in undertaking a joint endeavour.
"Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly partnership of all.
"The kindness, care and sheer joy you have projected with and from each other has been at the centre of the show's appeal."
Daly and Winkleman's final show will be the holiday episode, which airs on 25 December.
