Strictly Come Dancing Champions Announced in Spectacular Grand Finale

This article reveals the outcome of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing culminating event.

Former Lioness Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly winner, becoming the first footballer to lift the coveted trophy.

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

Carney, who was paired with pro partner Carlos Gu, remarked: "It's unbelievable, it's been the greatest privilege," before adding she was "lost for words".

It was an emotional night in the studio, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the last time - with the Queen among those paying tribute to the veteran hosts.

In a note presented by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, compassion and pure joy" had been at the heart of the show's success, stating: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly fab-u-lous".

Following tradition, 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 show dance.

The judges gave advisory scores but the viewing audience made the final decision.

Carney and Gu executed dances 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 football-themed jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, earning them a rapturous reception - and their second perfect score of the night.

But the victorious pair faced strong competition from the other remaining couples.

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

The pair performed dances including a show dance 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'.

Meanwhile, 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 classical waltz to 'Somebody to Love' by Queen.

But after weeks of ballroom dances, it was Carney and Gu's night as they won the viewer poll.

"My sincere thanks go to everybody that has supported our experience, 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 the majority of the contestants of 2025 returning for one more performance.

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

A representative rejected the claim, saying the show's audience vote was "independently overseen and checked to ensure complete accuracy".

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

The Hosts' Final Show

In October, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise announcement that they would be leaving their roles at the end of this year's season.

Daly has presented since the inaugural series 21 years ago. Winkleman came on board in 2014, having fronted Strictly's companion program It Takes Two since 2004.

This was their final time presenting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with feeling 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 said: "I have often thought that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about friendships: the connections created, the challenges conquered and the joy experienced in undertaking a shared challenge.

"Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly pairing of all.

"The kindness, care and pure joy 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 Christmas special, which airs on 25 December.