Strictly Come Dancing Champions Crowned in Spectacular Grand Final
This report details the conclusion of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing culminating event.
Former Lioness Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly champion, emerging as the first footballer to lift the glitterball trophy.
She beat Love Islander Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after securing 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 biggest honour," before adding she was "overwhelmed".
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 paying tribute to the long-running hosts.
In a note read out by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, compassion and pure joy" had been at the core of the show's popularity, stating: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly brilliant".
Following tradition, 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 show dance.
The judges gave advisory scores but the public made the ultimate choice.
Carney and Gu executed 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 sports-inspired jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, earning them a rapturous reception - and their second full marks of the night.
But the victorious duo faced strong competition from the other remaining couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to grace the dance floor.
The pair delivered 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 upbeat dance to 'Proud Mary'.
Meanwhile, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr reprised 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 won the viewer poll.
"My sincere thanks go to everybody that has backed our journey, 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 memorable moments on the night included most of the contestants of 2025 coming back for one more routine.
Yet, online figure Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had alleged earlier that the vote that saw him leave the show was unfair.
A spokesperson rejected the allegation, saying the show's audience vote was "independently overseen and checked to ensure total accuracy".
The group Five also performed a selection of their popular songs during the finale.
The Hosts' Final Show
Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise revelation that they would be stepping down at the end of this year's series.
Daly has presented 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 final time presenting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with emotion as they said their goodbyes.
During the televised event, as well as the message from the Queen, there were messages from celebrity chef Mary Berry, members of the crew and devotees 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 conquered and the joy experienced in undertaking a joint challenge.
"Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly partnership of all.
"The warmth, care and pure happiness you have radiated 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 airs on 25 December.
