Strictly Come Dancing Winners Announced in Glitzy Live Final

This report details the conclusion of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing championship.

Former Lioness Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly champion, emerging as the first footballer to lift the coveted trophy.

She defeated reality TV star Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after securing the audience vote in Saturday's grand finale.

Carney, who was dancing with pro partner Carlos Gu, said: "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 ballroom, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the final occasion - with Queen Camilla among those offering praise to the long-running hosts.

In a note presented by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, compassion and pure happiness" had been at the core of the show's popularity, adding: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly wonderful".

As usual, one of the dances in the grand finale was chosen 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 public made the final decision.

Carney and Gu performed dances including a show dance 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, earning them a standing ovation - and their second full marks of the night.

But the victorious duo faced fierce rivalry from the other remaining couples.

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

The couple performed dances including a show dance to 'Rain On Me' by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, a Spanish-inspired dance to 'Dream On' by Aerosmith, and a upbeat dance 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 freestyle routine to 'Human' by The Killers, and a Viennese Waltz to 'Somebody to Love' by Queen.

But after weeks of tangos, it was Carney and Gu's night as they topped the public vote.

"My sincere thanks go to everybody that has supported our journey, and supported us," said Carney.

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

Other highlights on the night included the majority of the contestants of 2025 coming back for one more performance.

However, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had claimed earlier that the elimination process that saw him exit the show was unfair.

A representative rejected the claim, saying the show's public vote was "externally monitored and checked to ensure total accuracy".

The boyband Five also performed a selection of their hits during the grand final.

The Hosts' Final Final

Earlier this year, 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 sister show It Takes Two since 2004.

This was their final time presenting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with emotion as they said their goodbyes.

During the live broadcast, as well as the message from the Queen, there were messages from celebrity chef Mary Berry, members of the production team and devotees of the show.

The Queen's message read: "It has often seemed to me that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about relationships: the connections forged, the struggles conquered and the happiness shared in undertaking a joint challenge.

"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 Christmas special, which is broadcast on 25 December.