Strictly Come Dancing Champions Announced in Glitzy Live Finale

This report details the result of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing final.

Former England footballer Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly champion, becoming the first professional soccer player to win the coveted trophy.

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

Carney, who was paired with pro partner Carlos Gu, stated: "I can't believe it, it's been the biggest honour," before saying she was "overwhelmed".

It was an poignant night in the studio, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the last time - with Queen Camilla among those offering praise to the long-running hosts.

In a note presented by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, compassion and sheer joy" had been at the core of the show's popularity, stating: "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 show dance.

The judges gave advisory scores but the public made the final decision.

Carney and Gu performed routines 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 perfect score of the night.

But the victorious duo faced stiff competition from the other competing couples.

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

The pair performed 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'.

In another performance, 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 won the viewer poll.

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

Gu told her she had "been transformative," commenting: "To the girls and boys 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 routine.

However, online figure Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had claimed earlier that the elimination process that saw him leave the show was unfair.

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

The group Five also performed a string of their popular songs during the grand final.

The Hosts' Last Show

Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise revelation that they would be leaving their roles at the end of this year's season.

Daly has presented since the first series 21 years ago. Winkleman came on board in 2014, having hosted Strictly's sister show It Takes Two since 2004.

This was their final time presenting 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 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 relationships: the connections created, the challenges conquered and the happiness experienced in undertaking a shared challenge.

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

"The warmth, compassion and sheer happiness you have radiated with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's appeal."

Daly and Winkleman's last ever appearance will be the holiday episode, which airs on 25 December.