Strictly Winners Crowned in Glitzy Live Final

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

Former England footballer Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly Come Dancing winner, becoming the first professional soccer player to claim the glitterball trophy.

She overcame Love Islander Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after winning the public vote in Saturday's grand finale.

Carney, who was dancing with professional dancer Carlos Gu, said: "I can't believe it, it's been the biggest honour," before adding she was "lost for words".

It was an poignant night in the studio, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the final occasion - with Queen Camilla among those paying tribute to the veteran hosts.

In a message read out by judge 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, stating: "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 preferred dance from the series, and the other was a show dance.

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

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 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 couple delivered dances including a freestyle to 'Rain On Me' by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, a Spanish-inspired dance to 'Dream On' by Aerosmith, and a jive to 'Proud Mary'.

In another performance, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr reprised their dramatic dance 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 salsas and foxtrots, it was Carney and Gu's night as they topped the viewer poll.

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

Gu told her she had "changed my life," commenting: "To the girls and boys watching at home, dream big and be proud and never give up."

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

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

A spokesperson denied the claim, saying the show's public vote was "independently overseen and checked to ensure total fairness".

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

Tess and Claudia's Last Show

In October, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise announcement that they would be stepping down at the end of this year's season.

Daly has presented since the first 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 feeling as they signed off.

During the live broadcast, as well as the message from the Queen, there were messages from TV cook Mary Berry, members of the production team 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 friendships: the connections forged, the struggles conquered and the joy shared in undertaking a joint endeavour.

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

"The kindness, compassion and sheer joy you have projected with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's success."

Daly and Winkleman's final show will be the Christmas special, which is broadcast on 25 December.