Strictly Come Dancing Winners Crowned in Glitzy Grand Final
This article reveals the result of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing championship.
Former England footballer Karen Carney has been named this year's Strictly Come Dancing winner, becoming the first footballer to lift the glitterball trophy.
She overcame Love Islander Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after winning the audience vote in Saturday's live final.
Carney, who was dancing with professional dancer Carlos Gu, remarked: "I can't believe it, it's been the biggest honour," before saying she was "speechless".
It was an emotional night in the studio, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the final occasion - with Queen Camilla among those paying tribute to the veteran hosts.
In a note read out 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, adding: "I think I speak for everyone 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 favourite 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 executed dances including a freestyle 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 perfect score of the night.
But the winning pair faced stiff competition from the other remaining couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to take to the stage.
The pair delivered routines including a show dance 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'.
In another performance, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr reprised their dramatic dance 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 ballroom dances, it was Carney and Gu's night as they won the viewer poll.
"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 highlights on the night included most of the contestants of 2025 coming back for one more routine.
However, online figure Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had alleged earlier that the vote that saw him leave the show was rigged.
A representative rejected the claim, saying the show's public vote was "externally monitored and checked to ensure complete accuracy".
The group Five also performed a selection of their hits during the finale.
Tess and Claudia's Final Show
Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the shock revelation that they would be stepping down at the end of this year's series.
Daly has hosted since the inaugural 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 presenting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with feeling 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 devotees 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 friendships: the connections created, the struggles conquered and the joy experienced in undertaking a shared endeavour.
"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly pairing of all.
"The warmth, compassion and sheer joy you have projected with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's success."
Daly and Winkleman's last ever show will be the holiday episode, which is broadcast on 25 December.
