Strictly Winners Crowned in Glitzy Grand Final

This report details the result of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 final.

Ex- England footballer Karen Carney has been named this year's Strictly Come Dancing champion, becoming the first footballer to win the glitterball trophy.

She beat Love Islander Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after securing the audience vote in Saturday's grand finale.

Carney, who was dancing with pro partner Carlos Gu, said: "This is incredible, it's been the biggest privilege," before saying 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 the Queen among those offering praise to the long-running hosts.

In a message presented by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, compassion and sheer happiness" had been at the core of the show's success, adding: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly fab-u-lous".

As usual, one of the dances in the final show was chosen by the judges, one was their own preferred dance from the competition, and the other was a show dance.

The judges gave guidance scores but the public made the final decision.

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 football-themed jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, garnering them a standing ovation - and their second full marks of the night.

But the winning duo faced fierce rivalry from the other remaining couples.

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

The couple delivered dances including a freestyle 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'.

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 freestyle routine to 'Human' by The Killers, and a Viennese Waltz to 'Somebody to Love' by Queen.

But after weeks of salsas and foxtrots, it was Carney and Gu's night as they topped the viewer poll.

"I just want to say thank you to everybody that has supported our journey, and supported us," said Carney.

Gu told her she had "been transformative," commenting: "To the girls and boys 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 returning for one more performance.

Yet, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had claimed earlier that the elimination process that saw him leave the show was rigged.

A representative rejected the allegation, saying the show's public vote was "externally monitored and checked to ensure total fairness".

The boyband Five also performed a string of their hits during the finale.

Tess and Claudia's Final Final

Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise revelation that they would be stepping down 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 hosted Strictly's sister show It Takes Two since 2004.

This was their final time presenting a Strictly final, and both were full of emotion as they said their goodbyes.

During the live broadcast, 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: "It has often seemed to me that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about friendships: the bonds created, the struggles overcome and the happiness experienced in undertaking a joint endeavour.

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

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

Daly and Winkleman's final appearance will be the Christmas special, which airs on 25 December.