Strictly Champions Crowned in Glitzy Grand Finale
This piece covers the result of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing final.
Ex- Lioness Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly winner, becoming the first footballer to claim the coveted trophy.
She beat Love Islander Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after winning the viewers' vote in Saturday's live final.
Carney, who was dancing with professional dancer Carlos Gu, stated: "I can't believe it, it's been the biggest privilege," before saying she was "overwhelmed".
It was an poignant night in the ballroom, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the last time - with Queen Camilla 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 happiness" had been at the core of the show's success, stating: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly fab-u-lous".
As usual, one of the dances in the grand finale was selected 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 viewing audience made the ultimate choice.
Carney and Gu performed routines 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, garnering them a standing ovation - and their second full marks of the night.
But the winning pair faced stiff rivalry from the other competing couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to take to the dance floor.
The pair delivered dances including a freestyle to 'Rain On Me' by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, a Paso Doble to 'Dream On' by Aerosmith, and a jive to 'Proud Mary'.
In another performance, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr performed again their dramatic dance to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle.
They also did their freestyle routine to 'Human' by The Killers, and a Viennese Waltz to 'Somebody to Love' by Queen.
But after weeks of ballroom dances, it was Carney and Gu's night as they won the public vote.
"My sincere thanks go to everybody that has supported our experience, and supported us," said Carney.
Gu told her she had "changed my life," commenting: "To the young people watching at home, dream big and be confident and never give up."
Other memorable moments on the night included most of the contestants of 2025 coming back 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 public vote was "externally monitored and checked to ensure complete fairness".
The group Five also performed a string of their popular songs during the finale.
The Hosts' Last Final
Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise announcement that they would be stepping down at the end of this year's season.
Daly has hosted since the inaugural series 21 years ago. Winkleman joined in 2014, having hosted 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 televised event, as well as the tribute 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 friendships: the connections created, the struggles conquered and the joy experienced in undertaking a shared challenge.
"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly partnership of all.
"The kindness, 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 final show will be the holiday episode, which is broadcast on 25 December.
