Strictly Winners Crowned in Spectacular Grand Final

This report details the conclusion of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing championship.

Ex- Lioness 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 overcame reality TV star Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after securing the audience vote in Saturday's live final.

Carney, who was paired with pro partner Carlos Gu, said: "I can't believe it, it's been the greatest honour," before adding she was "lost for words".

It was an emotional night in the studio, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the final occasion - with Queen Camilla 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 "warmth, empathy and sheer joy" had been at the core of the show's popularity, stating: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly wonderful".

Following tradition, one of the dances in the final show 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 public made the final decision.

Carney and Gu executed 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 football-themed jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, earning them a standing ovation - and their second full marks of the night.

But the victorious pair faced stiff rivalry from the other competing couples.

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

The couple delivered routines including a show dance to 'Rain On Me' by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, a Spanish-inspired dance to 'Dream On' by Aerosmith, and a upbeat dance to 'Proud Mary'.

Meanwhile, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr performed again their dramatic dance 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 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," commenting: "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 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 rigged.

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

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

Tess and Claudia's Last Final

Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise revelation that they would be leaving their roles at the end of this year's series.

Daly has hosted since the first series 21 years ago. Winkleman came on board in 2014, having fronted 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 signed off.

During the televised event, as well as the message from the Queen, there were messages from TV cook Mary Berry, members of the production team 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 relationships: the bonds forged, the challenges conquered and the joy experienced in undertaking a joint endeavour.

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

"The warmth, care and pure joy you have projected with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's appeal."

Daly and Winkleman's final show will be the holiday episode, which airs on 25 December.