Strictly Champions Crowned in Glitzy Grand Final

This report details the result of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing final.

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

She beat Love Islander Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after securing the public vote in Saturday's grand finale.

Carney, who was paired with pro partner Carlos Gu, said: "It's unbelievable, it's been the biggest privilege," before saying she was "speechless".

It was an heartfelt night in the studio, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the final occasion - with the Queen among those paying tribute to the long-running hosts.

In a note presented by panelist 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, stating: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly wonderful".

Following tradition, one of the dances in the grand finale was chosen by the judges, one was their own preferred dance from the competition, and the other was a show dance.

The judges gave advisory scores but the public made the ultimate choice.

Carney and Gu executed routines including a show dance 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 full marks of the night.

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

Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to take to 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 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 freestyle routine 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 won the public vote.

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

Gu told her she had "changed my life," adding: "To the young people 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.

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

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

The group Five also performed a string of their hits during the finale.

The Hosts' Final Show

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

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

This was their last time presenting a Strictly final, and both were full of feeling as they said their goodbyes.

During the televised event, 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 said: "I have often thought that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about relationships: the bonds forged, the struggles conquered and the happiness experienced in undertaking a joint endeavour.

"Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly partnership of all.

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

Daly and Winkleman's final appearance will be the Christmas special, which is broadcast on 25 December.