Strictly Come Dancing Champions Announced in Spectacular Grand Finale
This article reveals the outcome of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 championship.
Former Lioness Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly winner, becoming the first footballer to claim the coveted trophy.
She overcame Love Islander Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after winning the public vote in Saturday's grand finale.
Carney, who was paired with pro partner Carlos Gu, remarked: "This is incredible, it's been the greatest privilege," before adding she was "overwhelmed".
It was an heartfelt night in the studio, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the final occasion - with Queen Camilla among those offering praise to the long-running hosts.
In a message read out by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, compassion and pure happiness" had been at the heart of the show's success, adding: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly brilliant".
Following tradition, one of the dances in the grand finale was selected by the judges, one was their own preferred dance from the series, and the other was a freestyle routine.
The judges gave advisory scores but the viewing audience made the final decision.
Carney and Gu performed dances 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 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 duo faced strong competition from the other remaining couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to grace the dance floor.
The pair performed dances including a freestyle 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'.
In another performance, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr performed again their Paso Doble 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 tangos, it was Carney and Gu's night as they topped the viewer poll.
"I just want to say thank you to everybody that has backed our experience, and supported us," said Carney.
Gu told her she had "been transformative," commenting: "To the girls and boys watching at home, dream big and be confident and never give up."
Other memorable moments on the night included the majority of the cast of 2025 coming back for one more routine.
However, online figure Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had alleged earlier that the vote that saw him exit 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 grand final.
Tess and Claudia's Last Show
In October, 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 joined in 2014, having hosted Strictly's sister show It Takes Two since 2004.
This was their last time hosting a Strictly final, and both were full of feeling as they signed off.
During the televised event, as well as the tribute 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: "I have often thought that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about friendships: the connections created, the struggles conquered and the happiness shared in undertaking a shared challenge.
"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly pairing of all.
"The kindness, compassion and sheer joy you have radiated with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's appeal."
Daly and Winkleman's final show will be the Christmas special, which is broadcast on 25 December.
