Strictly Winners Announced in Spectacular Grand Final

This report details the conclusion of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing culminating event.

Ex- Lioness Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly champion, emerging as the first footballer to lift the glitterball trophy.

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

Carney, who was dancing with pro partner Carlos Gu, stated: "This is incredible, it's been the biggest privilege," before adding she was "lost for words".

It was an emotional night in the ballroom, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the final occasion - with the Queen among those paying tribute to the long-running hosts.

In a note presented by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, compassion and sheer joy" had been at the core of the show's popularity, adding: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly wonderful".

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

The judges gave advisory scores but the viewing audience made the final decision.

Carney and Gu executed dances including a freestyle 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, earning 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 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'.

Meanwhile, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr revisited their dramatic dance 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 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 "changed my life," commenting: "To the young people watching at home, aim high and be proud and never give up."

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

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

A representative rejected the allegation, saying the show's audience vote was "independently overseen and verified to ensure complete fairness".

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

The Hosts' Final 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 presented since the first series 21 years ago. Winkleman came on board in 2014, having fronted Strictly's companion program It Takes Two since 2004.

This was their last time hosting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with emotion as they signed off.

During the live broadcast, as well as the message from the Queen, there were messages from celebrity chef Mary Berry, members of the crew and devotees 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 connections created, the challenges overcome and the joy experienced in undertaking a shared endeavour.

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

"The kindness, care and pure joy you have projected with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's appeal."

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