Strictly Come Dancing Winners Crowned in Spectacular Grand Final
This report details the outcome of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 culminating event.
Former Lioness Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly winner, emerging as the first professional soccer player to win the glitterball trophy.
She beat Love Islander Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after securing the public 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 adding she was "overwhelmed".
It was an heartfelt night in the studio, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the last time - with the Queen among those offering praise to the veteran hosts.
In a message presented by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, empathy and sheer joy" had been at the heart of the show's popularity, adding: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly fab-u-lous".
Following tradition, one of the dances in the grand finale was selected by the judges, one was their own favourite dance from the competition, and the other was a show dance.
The judges gave advisory scores but the viewing audience made the ultimate choice.
Carney and Gu executed routines 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 duo faced strong rivalry from the other competing couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to grace the stage.
The pair delivered routines including a freestyle to 'Rain On Me' by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, a Paso Doble 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 Viennese Waltz to 'Somebody to Love' by Queen.
But after weeks of ballroom dances, it was Carney and Gu's night as they won the public vote.
"My sincere thanks go to everybody that has backed our experience, and supported us," said Carney.
Gu told her she had "been transformative," adding: "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 routine.
Yet, online figure Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had alleged earlier that the vote that saw him exit the show was rigged.
A spokesperson denied the allegation, saying the show's audience vote was "externally monitored and verified to ensure total fairness".
The group Five also performed a string of their popular songs during the finale.
Tess and Claudia's Final Show
Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise revelation that they would be leaving their roles at the end of this year's season.
Daly has hosted since the inaugural series 21 years ago. Winkleman joined in 2014, having fronted Strictly's sister show It Takes Two since 2004.
This was their final time hosting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with feeling as they said their goodbyes.
During the televised event, as well as the message from the Queen, there were recorded notes from celebrity chef Mary Berry, members of the production team and devotees of the show.
The Queen's message read: "It has often seemed to me that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about relationships: the bonds forged, the challenges overcome and the joy shared in undertaking a shared challenge.
"Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly pairing 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 success."
Daly and Winkleman's final appearance will be the holiday episode, which airs on 25 December.
