Strictly Come Dancing Champions Crowned in Glitzy Live Finale
This piece covers the outcome of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 final.
Former Lioness Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly winner, emerging as the first footballer to claim the coveted trophy.
She beat Love Islander Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after securing the viewers' vote in Saturday's grand finale.
Carney, who was dancing with pro partner Carlos Gu, stated: "It's unbelievable, it's been the greatest privilege," before saying she was "lost for words".
It was an heartfelt night in the studio, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the final occasion - with the Queen among those offering praise to the long-running hosts.
In a note presented by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, compassion and pure happiness" had been at the core of the show's popularity, adding: "On behalf of all viewers 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 guidance scores but the viewing audience made the final decision.
Carney and Gu performed 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, garnering them a standing ovation - and their second full marks 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 grace the dance floor.
The pair performed routines 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 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 tangos, it was Carney and Gu's night as they topped the viewer poll.
"My sincere thanks go to everybody that has backed our experience, and supported us," said Carney.
Gu told her she had "been transformative," commenting: "To the young people watching at home, dream big and be proud and never give up."
Other highlights on the night included most of the cast of 2025 coming back for one more routine.
However, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had alleged earlier that the vote that saw him leave the show was rigged.
A spokesperson rejected the claim, saying the show's public vote was "independently overseen and verified to ensure complete accuracy".
The boyband Five also performed a string of their popular songs during the grand final.
Tess and Claudia's Final Final
In October, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise revelation that they would be leaving their roles at the end of this year's season.
Daly has hosted 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 final time hosting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with emotion as they said their goodbyes.
During the live broadcast, as well as the message from the Queen, there were recorded notes from celebrity chef Mary Berry, members of the production team 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 bonds forged, the challenges conquered and the joy experienced in undertaking a joint challenge.
"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly partnership of all.
"The warmth, care and sheer joy you have radiated with and from each other has been at the centre of the show's success."
Daly and Winkleman's last ever show will be the holiday episode, which airs on 25 December.
