Strictly Champions Crowned in Glitzy Live Finale

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

Ex- Lioness Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly Come Dancing winner, becoming the first footballer to lift the coveted trophy.

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

Carney, who was dancing with professional dancer Carlos Gu, remarked: "It's unbelievable, it's been the greatest honour," before adding she was "lost for words".

It was an emotional night in the studio, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the final occasion - 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 "kindness, empathy and sheer happiness" had been at the heart of the show's popularity, stating: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly brilliant".

Following tradition, one of the dances in the grand finale was selected 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 viewing audience made the ultimate choice.

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 sports-inspired jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, garnering them a standing ovation - and their second perfect score of the night.

But the victorious pair faced fierce rivalry from the other competing couples.

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

The couple delivered routines including a freestyle to 'Rain On Me' by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, a Paso Doble to 'Dream On' by Aerosmith, and a upbeat dance to 'Proud Mary'.

In another performance, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr reprised their Paso Doble 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 journey, and supported us," said Carney.

Gu told her she had "been transformative," adding: "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 cast of 2025 coming back for one more routine.

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

A spokesperson rejected the allegation, saying the show's audience vote was "externally monitored and verified to ensure complete accuracy".

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

The Hosts' Last Show

Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the shock revelation that they would be stepping down at the end of this year's series.

Daly has hosted since the inaugural 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 hosting a Strictly final, and both were full of feeling as they said their goodbyes.

During the live broadcast, as well as the message from the Queen, there were recorded notes from TV cook Mary Berry, members of the production team and fans of the show.

The Queen's message read: "I have often thought that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about relationships: the connections created, the struggles overcome and the happiness experienced in undertaking a joint endeavour.

"Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly pairing of all.

"The warmth, care and pure joy you have projected with and from each other has been at the centre of the show's success."

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