Strictly Winners Crowned in Glitzy Grand Final
This piece covers the outcome of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 final.
Former England footballer Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly Come Dancing winner, emerging as the first footballer to lift the glitterball trophy.
She beat reality TV star Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after winning the public vote in Saturday's grand finale.
Carney, who was dancing with professional dancer Carlos Gu, stated: "I can't believe it, it's been the biggest honour," before saying she was "overwhelmed".
It was an poignant night in the ballroom, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the final occasion - with the Queen among those offering praise to the long-running hosts.
In a message read out by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, compassion and pure happiness" had been at the core of the show's popularity, adding: "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 selected 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 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 sports-inspired jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, garnering them a standing ovation - and their second perfect score of the night.
But the victorious pair faced strong competition from the other competing couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to grace the dance floor.
The couple performed dances including a show dance to 'Rain On Me' by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, a Paso Doble to 'Dream On' by Aerosmith, and a jive 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 tangos, 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 journey, and supported us," said Carney.
Gu told her she had "changed my life," commenting: "To the girls and boys watching at home, dream big and be confident and never give up."
Other highlights on the night included most of the cast of 2025 returning for one more performance.
However, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had alleged earlier that the vote that saw him exit the show was unfair.
A spokesperson rejected the claim, saying the show's audience vote was "externally monitored and checked to ensure total accuracy".
The boyband Five also performed a selection of their hits during the finale.
The Hosts' Final Show
In October, 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 joined in 2014, having hosted Strictly's companion program It Takes Two since 2004.
This was their final time hosting a Strictly final, and both were full of feeling as they said their goodbyes.
During the live broadcast, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were recorded notes from TV cook Mary Berry, members of the crew 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 happiness shared in undertaking a joint endeavour.
"Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly pairing of all.
"The warmth, compassion and pure 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 show will be the holiday episode, which is broadcast on 25 December.
