Strictly Winners Crowned in Spectacular Live Final
This piece covers the result of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 culminating event.
Former Lioness Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly Come Dancing champion, emerging as the first footballer to claim the glitterball trophy.
She defeated Love Islander Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after securing the public vote in Saturday's grand finale.
Carney, who was paired with pro partner Carlos Gu, remarked: "It's unbelievable, it's been the greatest honour," before saying she was "speechless".
It was an heartfelt night in the ballroom, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the last time - with Queen Camilla among those paying tribute to the long-running hosts.
In a message presented by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, empathy and pure happiness" had been at the heart of the show's success, stating: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly brilliant".
As usual, one of the dances in the final show was chosen by the judges, one was their own preferred dance from the series, and the other was a freestyle routine.
The judges gave advisory scores but the public made the ultimate choice.
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 full marks of the night.
But the victorious duo faced strong rivalry from the other competing couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to grace the dance floor.
The couple delivered 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 reprised their dramatic dance 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 salsas and foxtrots, it was Carney and Gu's night as they topped the viewer poll.
"My sincere thanks go 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 confident and never give up."
Other memorable moments on the night included most of the cast of 2025 returning for one more routine.
Yet, online figure Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had claimed earlier that the elimination process that saw him exit the show was rigged.
A spokesperson denied the allegation, saying the show's audience vote was "independently overseen and checked to ensure complete fairness".
The group Five also performed a string of their hits during the finale.
Tess and Claudia's Final Show
In October, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise announcement that they would be leaving their roles at the end of this year's season.
Daly has presented since the inaugural series 21 years ago. Winkleman joined in 2014, having hosted Strictly's companion program It Takes Two since 2004.
This was their last time hosting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with feeling as they signed off.
During the televised event, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were messages from TV cook Mary Berry, members of the production team and fans of the show.
The Queen's message said: "It has often seemed to me that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about friendships: the bonds forged, the challenges overcome and the joy experienced in undertaking a joint challenge.
"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly partnership of all.
"The kindness, compassion and sheer joy you have radiated with and from each other has been at the centre of the show's success."
Daly and Winkleman's last ever show will be the Christmas special, which is broadcast on 25 December.
