Strictly Winners Crowned in Glitzy Live Finale
This article reveals the conclusion of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing championship.
Former Lioness Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly Come Dancing winner, becoming the first footballer to lift the glitterball trophy.
She beat Love Islander Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after winning the audience vote in Saturday's grand finale.
Carney, who was paired with professional dancer Carlos Gu, said: "I can't believe it, it's been the greatest honour," before saying she was "lost for words".
It was an poignant night in the ballroom, as presenters 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 presented by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, empathy and sheer joy" had been at the core of the show's success, adding: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly wonderful".
Following tradition, one of the dances in the grand finale was selected by the judges, one was their own favourite dance from the competition, and the other was a freestyle routine.
The judges gave guidance scores but the public made the final decision.
Carney and Gu performed routines including a freestyle to 'Inner Smile' by Texas, and an 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, garnering them a rapturous reception - and their second perfect score of the night.
But the victorious pair faced stiff rivalry from the other competing couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to grace the stage.
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 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 salsas and foxtrots, it was Carney and Gu's night as they won the viewer poll.
"I just want to say thank you to everybody that has supported our journey, and supported us," said Carney.
Gu told her she had "been transformative," adding: "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 cast of 2025 coming back for one more routine.
Yet, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had alleged earlier that the vote that saw him leave the show was unfair.
A representative denied the allegation, saying the show's audience vote was "independently overseen and checked to ensure total accuracy".
The boyband Five also performed a selection of their popular songs during the grand final.
The Hosts' Final Final
Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise revelation that they would be stepping down at the end of this year's season.
Daly has hosted since the inaugural series 21 years ago. Winkleman came on board 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 full of emotion as they said their goodbyes.
During the live broadcast, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were recorded notes from celebrity chef Mary Berry, members of the crew and devotees 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 forged, the struggles conquered and the joy shared in undertaking a shared challenge.
"Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly pairing of all.
"The warmth, compassion and sheer joy 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 holiday episode, which is broadcast on 25 December.
