Strictly Champions Crowned in Glitzy Grand Final
This article reveals the conclusion of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing culminating event.
Ex- Lioness Karen Carney has been named this year's Strictly Come Dancing champion, becoming the first footballer to claim the coveted trophy.
She overcame reality TV star Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after securing the viewers' vote in Saturday's live final.
Carney, who was dancing with professional dancer Carlos Gu, remarked: "It's unbelievable, it's been the biggest privilege," before adding she was "overwhelmed".
It was an poignant night in the studio, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted 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 pure happiness" had been at the core of the show's success, stating: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly fab-u-lous".
As usual, one of the dances in the grand finale was chosen by the judges, one was their own preferred dance from the competition, and the other was a freestyle routine.
The judges gave advisory scores but the public made the final decision.
Carney and Gu executed 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, earning them a standing ovation - and their second perfect score of the night.
But the victorious duo faced strong competition from the other competing couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to take to the dance floor.
The couple performed 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 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 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," adding: "To the young people watching at home, dream big and be confident and never give up."
Other highlights on the night included the majority of the contestants of 2025 coming back for one more routine.
Yet, online figure Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had alleged earlier that the elimination process that saw him leave the show was unfair.
A spokesperson denied the claim, saying the show's audience vote was "externally monitored and verified to ensure complete accuracy".
The boyband Five also performed a string of their popular songs during the finale.
The Hosts' Last Final
In October, Daly and Winkleman made the shock announcement that they would be stepping down at the end of this year's series.
Daly has hosted since the first series 21 years ago. Winkleman joined in 2014, having fronted Strictly's companion program It Takes Two since 2004.
This was their last time presenting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with feeling as they signed off.
During the live broadcast, as well as the message from the Queen, there were recorded notes from TV cook Mary Berry, members of the production team 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 friendships: the bonds forged, the challenges overcome and the happiness shared in undertaking a shared challenge.
"Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly pairing of all.
"The warmth, care and pure happiness you have projected with and from each other has been at the centre of the show's appeal."
Daly and Winkleman's final appearance will be the holiday episode, which is broadcast on 25 December.
