Strictly Winners Announced in Glitzy Grand Final

This article reveals the outcome of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 culminating event.

Former Lioness Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly champion, emerging as the first professional soccer player to win the glitterball trophy.

She beat reality TV star Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after winning the audience vote in Saturday's live final.

Carney, who was paired with professional dancer Carlos Gu, stated: "It's unbelievable, it's been the greatest privilege," before saying she was "overwhelmed".

It was an emotional night in the ballroom, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the final occasion - with the Queen among those offering praise to the veteran hosts.

In a message 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 popularity, adding: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly brilliant".

As usual, one of the dances in the grand finale was chosen by the judges, one was their own favourite dance from the competition, and the other was a show dance.

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

Carney and Gu performed dances 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 sports-inspired jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, earning them a rapturous reception - and their second full marks of the night.

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

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

The pair delivered 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 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 show dance 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 topped 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 "changed my life," commenting: "To the girls and boys watching at home, dream big and be confident and never give up."

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

However, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had alleged earlier that the elimination process that saw him exit the show was rigged.

A spokesperson denied the allegation, saying the show's public vote was "independently overseen and verified to ensure complete fairness".

The group Five also performed a selection of their popular songs during the finale.

Tess and Claudia's Last Final

In October, Daly and Winkleman made the shock 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 joined in 2014, having hosted Strictly's sister show It Takes Two since 2004.

This was their last time hosting a Strictly final, and both were full of emotion as they said their goodbyes.

During the televised event, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were recorded notes from TV cook Mary Berry, members of the crew and fans 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 bonds forged, the struggles conquered and the happiness experienced in undertaking a joint challenge.

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

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

Daly and Winkleman's final appearance will be the holiday episode, which is broadcast on 25 December.