Strictly Come Dancing Winners Crowned in Glitzy Grand Finale
This article reveals the result of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 final.
Ex- England footballer Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly Come Dancing winner, emerging as the first professional soccer player to claim the glitterball trophy.
She overcame reality TV star Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after securing the public vote in Saturday's live final.
Carney, who was paired with pro partner Carlos Gu, stated: "I can't believe it, it's been the greatest honour," before adding she was "lost for words".
It was an heartfelt night in the ballroom, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the final occasion - with Queen Camilla among those offering praise to the veteran hosts.
In a note presented by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, empathy and pure joy" had been at the heart of the show's success, stating: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly wonderful".
Following tradition, one of the dances in the grand finale was chosen by the judges, one was their own favourite dance from the series, and the other was a freestyle routine.
The judges gave advisory scores but the public made the final decision.
Carney and Gu performed dances 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 football-themed jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, earning them a rapturous reception - and their second full marks of the night.
But the victorious duo faced strong rivalry from the other competing couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to take to the stage.
The pair performed dances 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'.
Meanwhile, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr reprised their dramatic dance 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 tangos, it was Carney and Gu's night as they won the public vote.
"I just want to say thank you to everybody that has supported our experience, and supported us," said Carney.
Gu told her she had "changed my life," commenting: "To the young people watching at home, dream big and be confident and never give up."
Other memorable moments 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 rigged.
A representative denied the allegation, saying the show's public vote was "independently overseen and checked to ensure total accuracy".
The group Five also performed a string of their hits during the finale.
Tess and Claudia's Final Final
In October, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise announcement that they would be stepping down at the end of this year's season.
Daly has presented since the first 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 full of feeling as they signed off.
During the live broadcast, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were messages from TV cook Mary Berry, members of the crew and fans 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 challenges overcome and the joy experienced in undertaking a shared endeavour.
"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly partnership of all.
"The warmth, care and sheer happiness you have projected with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's appeal."
Daly and Winkleman's final appearance will be the Christmas special, which airs on 25 December.
