Strictly Come Dancing Champions Announced in Spectacular Grand Final

This piece covers the outcome of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing culminating event.

Ex- England footballer Karen Carney has been named this year's Strictly winner, becoming the first professional soccer player to lift the coveted trophy.

She defeated Love Islander 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 greatest privilege," before saying she was "overwhelmed".

It was an heartfelt night in the ballroom, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the last time - with the Queen among those offering praise to the veteran hosts.

In a message presented by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, empathy and pure joy" had been at the heart of the show's popularity, stating: "I think I speak for everyone 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 favourite dance from the series, and the other was a freestyle routine.

The judges gave advisory scores but the viewing audience made the ultimate choice.

Carney and Gu performed dances 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 football-themed jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, garnering them a rapturous reception - and their second full marks of the night.

But the winning duo faced strong rivalry from the other remaining couples.

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

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 revisited their Paso Doble 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 salsas and foxtrots, it was Carney and Gu's night as they topped the public vote.

"I just want to say thank you to everybody that has supported our experience, and supported us," said Carney.

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

Other highlights 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 appear. He had alleged earlier that the elimination process that saw him exit the show was unfair.

A spokesperson rejected the allegation, saying the show's audience vote was "independently overseen and verified to ensure complete fairness".

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

Tess and Claudia's Last Show

In October, Daly and Winkleman made the shock 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 fronted Strictly's companion program It Takes Two since 2004.

This was their final time hosting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with feeling as they signed off.

During the live broadcast, as well as the message from the Queen, there were messages from TV cook Mary Berry, members of the crew and fans of the show.

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

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

"The warmth, compassion and pure joy you have projected with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's appeal."

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