Strictly Come Dancing Winners Announced in Spectacular Grand Final

This piece covers the outcome of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing championship.

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

She beat reality TV star Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after winning the audience vote in Saturday's grand finale.

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

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

In a note read out by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, compassion and sheer happiness" had been at the core of the show's success, adding: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly fab-u-lous".

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 freestyle routine.

The judges gave advisory scores but the viewing audience made the ultimate choice.

Carney and Gu executed 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, garnering them a standing ovation - and their second perfect score of the night.

But the winning duo faced stiff rivalry from the other remaining couples.

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

The pair performed dances including a freestyle 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 classical waltz to 'Somebody to Love' by Queen.

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

"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 young people watching at home, aim high and be confident and never give up."

Other highlights on the night included the majority of the contestants of 2025 returning for one more routine.

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

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

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

Tess and Claudia's Last Final

In October, Daly and Winkleman made the shock announcement that they would be leaving their roles at the end of this year's season.

Daly has presented 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 last time hosting 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 read: "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 joy shared in undertaking a shared endeavour.

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

"The kindness, 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 show will be the holiday episode, which is broadcast on 25 December.