Strictly Champions Announced in Glitzy Live Finale

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

Former England footballer Karen Carney has been named this year's Strictly Come Dancing winner, emerging as the first professional soccer player to win 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: "It's unbelievable, it's been the biggest honour," before adding she was "overwhelmed".

It was an heartfelt 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 veteran hosts.

In a message read out by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, compassion and pure joy" had been at the heart of the show's popularity, adding: "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 chosen by the judges, one was their own favourite dance from the competition, and the other was a freestyle routine.

The judges gave guidance scores but the viewing audience made the ultimate choice.

Carney and Gu executed routines 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 football-themed jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, garnering them a standing ovation - and their second perfect score of the night.

But the winning duo faced strong competition from the other competing couples.

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

The couple 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 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 ballroom dances, it was Carney and Gu's night as they topped the viewer poll.

"I just want to say thank you to everybody that has supported our journey, and supported us," said Carney.

Gu told her she had "been transformative," adding: "To the girls and boys 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 performance.

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

A spokesperson rejected the allegation, saying the show's audience vote was "independently overseen and checked to ensure total fairness".

The group Five also performed a string of their popular songs during the grand final.

The Hosts' Final Final

In October, Daly and Winkleman made the shock announcement that they would be stepping down at the end of this year's season.

Daly has hosted since the first series 21 years ago. Winkleman came on board in 2014, having hosted Strictly's sister show It Takes Two since 2004.

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

During the live broadcast, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were recorded notes from TV cook Mary Berry, members of the crew and devotees of the show.

The Queen's message said: "I have often thought that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about relationships: the bonds created, the challenges conquered and the joy shared in undertaking a joint challenge.

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

"The warmth, care and sheer happiness you have projected with and from each other has been at the centre of the show's appeal."

Daly and Winkleman's last ever show will be the Christmas special, which is broadcast on 25 December.