Strictly Winners Crowned in Glitzy Grand Final
This article reveals the result of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing 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 defeated Love Islander Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after winning the audience vote in Saturday's live final.
Carney, who was dancing with professional dancer Carlos Gu, stated: "It's unbelievable, it's been the greatest privilege," before saying she was "lost for words".
It was an heartfelt night in the studio, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the last time - 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, empathy and pure joy" 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 chosen by the judges, one was their own preferred dance from the competition, and the other was a freestyle routine.
The judges gave guidance scores but the viewing audience made the final decision.
Carney and Gu performed routines including a freestyle to 'Inner Smile' by Texas, and an Argentine 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 pair faced fierce rivalry from the other competing couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to grace the stage.
The pair performed dances 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'.
In another performance, 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 classical waltz to 'Somebody to Love' by Queen.
But after weeks of tangos, it was Carney and Gu's night as they won the viewer poll.
"My sincere thanks go to everybody that has supported our experience, and supported us," said Carney.
Gu told her she had "changed my life," commenting: "To the young people watching at home, dream big and be confident and never give up."
Other memorable moments on the night included most of the contestants of 2025 returning for one more routine.
Yet, online figure Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had alleged earlier that the elimination process that saw him leave the show was unfair.
A spokesperson rejected the claim, saying the show's audience vote was "independently overseen and checked to ensure total fairness".
The boyband Five also performed a string of their hits during the grand final.
The Hosts' Last Final
Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the shock announcement that they would be stepping down at the end of this year's series.
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 final time hosting a Strictly final, and both were full of feeling as they signed off.
During the live broadcast, 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: "I have often thought that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about relationships: the bonds created, the challenges 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 kindness, care and pure joy you have projected with and from each other has been at the centre of the show's success."
Daly and Winkleman's final show will be the holiday episode, which airs on 25 December.
