Strictly Winners Crowned in Glitzy Grand Finale
This article reveals the result of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 final.
Former England footballer Karen Carney has been named this year's Strictly champion, becoming the first footballer to win the coveted trophy.
She overcame reality TV star Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after winning the viewers' vote in Saturday's live final.
Carney, who was dancing with professional dancer Carlos Gu, remarked: "I can't believe it, it's been the biggest honour," before saying she was "lost for words".
It was an emotional night in the studio, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the last time - with Queen Camilla among those offering praise to the long-running hosts.
In a note read out by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, empathy and sheer joy" had been at the core of the show's success, adding: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly wonderful".
Following tradition, one of the dances in the final show 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 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 sports-inspired jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, garnering them a standing ovation - and their second full marks of the night.
But the winning pair faced stiff rivalry from the other remaining couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to grace the stage.
The pair performed routines including a freestyle to 'Rain On Me' by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, a Spanish-inspired dance to 'Dream On' by Aerosmith, and a jive to 'Proud Mary'.
Meanwhile, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr revisited 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 ballroom dances, it was Carney and Gu's night as they won the public vote.
"My sincere thanks go to everybody that has backed our experience, and supported us," said Carney.
Gu told her she had "changed my life," commenting: "To the young people watching at home, aim high and be confident and never give up."
Other highlights on the night included most of the contestants of 2025 coming back for one more performance.
However, online figure Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had claimed earlier that the elimination process that saw him exit the show was unfair.
A spokesperson denied the allegation, saying the show's public vote was "externally monitored and verified to ensure total fairness".
The boyband Five also performed a string of their hits during the grand final.
The Hosts' Last Show
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 inaugural series 21 years ago. Winkleman joined in 2014, having fronted Strictly's companion program It Takes Two since 2004.
This was their last time hosting a Strictly final, and both were full of feeling as they said their goodbyes.
During the televised event, as well as the message from the Queen, there were recorded notes from celebrity chef 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 relationships: the bonds forged, the challenges overcome and the happiness experienced in undertaking a joint challenge.
"Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly partnership of all.
"The kindness, care and pure happiness you have projected with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's success."
Daly and Winkleman's last ever appearance will be the Christmas special, which airs on 25 December.
