Strictly Come Dancing Winners Announced in Glitzy Grand Final

This piece covers the result of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 championship.

Ex- Lioness Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly champion, emerging as the first professional soccer player to claim the coveted trophy.

She overcame Love Islander Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after winning the viewers' vote in Saturday's grand finale.

Carney, who was paired with pro partner Carlos Gu, stated: "I can't believe it, it's been the biggest honour," before saying she was "overwhelmed".

It was an heartfelt night in the ballroom, as presenters 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 presented by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, compassion and pure happiness" had been at the heart of the show's popularity, stating: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly brilliant".

Following tradition, one of the dances in the final show was chosen 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 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 sports-inspired jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, earning them a standing ovation - and their second perfect score of the night.

But the victorious pair faced stiff rivalry from the other remaining couples.

Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to grace the stage.

The pair 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 upbeat dance to 'Proud Mary'.

Meanwhile, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr revisited their Paso Doble 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 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 "changed my life," adding: "To the girls and boys watching at home, aim high and be confident and never give up."

Other highlights on the night included the majority of the contestants of 2025 returning for one more routine.

However, online figure Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had claimed earlier that the vote that saw him exit the show was rigged.

A representative denied the allegation, saying the show's audience vote was "independently overseen and checked to ensure total fairness".

The group Five also performed a selection of their popular songs during the grand final.

The Hosts' Last Final

Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the shock announcement that they would be leaving their roles at the end of this year's series.

Daly has presented since the first 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 hosting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with emotion as they signed off.

During the televised event, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were messages 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 connections forged, the struggles conquered and the joy shared in undertaking a shared endeavour.

"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly partnership of all.

"The warmth, compassion and pure happiness you have radiated with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's appeal."

Daly and Winkleman's last ever show will be the Christmas special, which is broadcast on 25 December.