Strictly Winners Announced in Spectacular Grand Finale
This article reveals the conclusion of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing championship.
Former England footballer Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly Come Dancing champion, emerging as the first footballer to lift the coveted trophy.
She beat reality TV star Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after securing the viewers' vote in Saturday's grand finale.
Carney, who was paired with pro partner Carlos Gu, said: "This is incredible, it's been the biggest honour," before adding she was "lost for words".
It was an poignant night in the ballroom, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the final occasion - with the Queen among those offering praise to the veteran hosts.
In a note read out by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, empathy and sheer joy" had been at the heart of the show's success, adding: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly fab-u-lous".
As usual, one of the dances in the final show was chosen by the judges, one was their own favourite dance from the competition, and the other was a show dance.
The judges gave advisory scores but the viewing audience made the ultimate choice.
Carney and Gu performed 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 standing ovation - 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 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'.
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 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 experience, and supported us," said Carney.
Gu told her she had "been transformative," adding: "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 cast of 2025 returning for one more routine.
Yet, online figure Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had claimed earlier that the vote that saw him leave the show was unfair.
A spokesperson rejected the claim, saying the show's audience vote was "externally monitored and checked to ensure total fairness".
The group Five also performed a string of their popular songs during the finale.
The Hosts' 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 series.
Daly has hosted since the first series 21 years ago. Winkleman joined in 2014, having fronted Strictly's sister show It Takes Two since 2004.
This was their last time presenting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with emotion as they said their goodbyes.
During the televised event, as well as the message from the Queen, there were recorded notes from celebrity chef Mary Berry, members of the production team 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 challenges conquered and the happiness experienced in undertaking a shared endeavour.
"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly partnership of all.
"The kindness, compassion and pure happiness you have radiated with and from each other has been at the centre of the show's success."
Daly and Winkleman's final show will be the Christmas special, which is broadcast on 25 December.
