Strictly Come Dancing Winners Announced in Spectacular Grand Finale

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

Former England footballer Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly Come Dancing champion, emerging as the first professional soccer player to claim the coveted trophy.

She defeated reality TV star Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after winning the viewers' vote in Saturday's live final.

Carney, who was paired with professional dancer Carlos Gu, remarked: "This is incredible, it's been the biggest honour," before saying she was "overwhelmed".

It was an heartfelt night in the studio, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the final occasion - 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 "warmth, empathy and pure happiness" had been at the heart of the show's popularity, adding: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly wonderful".

Following tradition, one of the dances in the grand finale was selected 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 ultimate choice.

Carney and Gu performed 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 rapturous reception - and their second full marks of the night.

But the victorious pair faced fierce competition from the other competing couples.

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

The couple delivered dances 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 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 show dance 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 topped the public vote.

"My sincere thanks go to everybody that has backed 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 contestants of 2025 returning for one more performance.

However, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had claimed earlier that the vote that saw him exit the show was rigged.

A spokesperson rejected the allegation, saying the show's audience vote was "externally monitored and checked to ensure complete accuracy".

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

The Hosts' Final Show

In October, Daly and Winkleman made the shock announcement that they would be leaving their roles at the end of this year's series.

Daly has presented since the inaugural series 21 years ago. Winkleman came on board in 2014, having hosted Strictly's companion program It Takes Two since 2004.

This was their final 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 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 relationships: the bonds forged, the struggles overcome and the joy shared in undertaking a joint endeavour.

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

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

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