Strictly Champions Announced in Glitzy Grand Final

This article reveals the conclusion of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 final.

Ex- England footballer Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly Come Dancing champion, becoming the first footballer to claim the glitterball trophy.

She beat reality TV star Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after winning the public vote in Saturday's live final.

Carney, who was dancing with professional dancer Carlos Gu, said: "I can't believe it, it's been the greatest honour," before saying she was "speechless".

It was an emotional night in the studio, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the final occasion - with Queen Camilla among those offering praise to the veteran hosts.

In a note read out by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, compassion and pure joy" had been at the heart 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 final show was chosen by the judges, one was their own preferred dance from the series, and the other was a freestyle routine.

The judges gave guidance scores but the public made the final decision.

Carney and Gu performed 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, earning them a rapturous reception - and their second full marks of the night.

But the winning duo faced stiff rivalry from the other competing couples.

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

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 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 tangos, it was Carney and Gu's night as they won the public vote.

"My sincere thanks go to everybody that has backed our experience, and supported us," said Carney.

Gu told her she had "been transformative," adding: "To the girls and boys watching at home, aim high and be proud and never give up."

Other memorable moments on the night included the majority 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 exit the show was unfair.

A representative denied the allegation, saying the show's public vote was "externally monitored and verified to ensure total accuracy".

The boyband Five also performed a selection of their hits 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 presented since the inaugural series 21 years ago. Winkleman joined in 2014, having hosted Strictly's sister show It Takes Two since 2004.

This was their last time hosting a Strictly final, and both were full of feeling as they signed off.

During the live broadcast, as well as the tribute 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: "I have often thought that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about relationships: the connections created, the challenges overcome and the happiness shared in undertaking a joint endeavour.

"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly pairing 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 appeal."

Daly and Winkleman's last ever appearance will be the Christmas special, which airs on 25 December.