Strictly Champions Crowned in Glitzy Grand Finale

This piece covers the outcome of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 final.

Ex- England footballer Karen Carney has been named this year's Strictly Come Dancing champion, becoming the first footballer to win the coveted trophy.

She overcame reality TV star Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after securing the public vote in Saturday's grand finale.

Carney, who was dancing with professional dancer Carlos Gu, said: "It's unbelievable, it's been the greatest privilege," before saying she was "speechless".

It was an heartfelt night in the ballroom, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the last time - with the Queen among those offering praise to the long-running hosts.

In a message presented by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, empathy and sheer happiness" 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".

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 routines 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 rapturous reception - and their second full marks of the night.

But the winning pair faced strong rivalry from the other competing couples.

Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to grace the dance floor.

The pair performed routines 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'.

Meanwhile, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr revisited their Paso Doble to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle.

They also did their freestyle routine to 'Human' by The Killers, and a classical waltz to 'Somebody to Love' by Queen.

But after weeks of salsas and foxtrots, it was Carney and Gu's night as they topped the public vote.

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

Gu told her she had "changed my life," adding: "To the girls and boys watching at home, aim high and be confident and never give up."

Other highlights on the night included the majority of the cast of 2025 coming back for one more performance.

However, online figure Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had claimed earlier that the vote that saw him leave the show was unfair.

A representative rejected the claim, saying the show's public vote was "externally monitored and verified to ensure complete fairness".

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

Tess and Claudia's Last Show

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 first series 21 years ago. Winkleman joined in 2014, having hosted Strictly's companion program It Takes Two since 2004.

This was their final time hosting a Strictly final, and both were full of feeling 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 crew and fans 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 friendships: the connections created, the struggles conquered and the happiness experienced in undertaking a shared challenge.

"Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly pairing 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 appeal."

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