Strictly Winners Crowned in Glitzy Grand Finale

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

Ex- England footballer Karen Carney has been named this year's Strictly champion, emerging as the first professional soccer player to lift the coveted trophy.

She beat reality TV star Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after winning the public vote in Saturday's live final.

Carney, who was paired with professional dancer Carlos Gu, remarked: "I can't believe it, it's been the biggest honour," before adding she was "lost for words".

It was an emotional night in the studio, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the last time - 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, empathy and pure happiness" had been at the heart 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 grand finale was chosen by the judges, one was their own favourite dance from the competition, and the other was a freestyle routine.

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

Carney and Gu performed 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 rapturous reception - and their second perfect score of the night.

But the winning pair faced strong rivalry from the other remaining couples.

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

The couple delivered routines 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 Paso Doble 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 public vote.

"My sincere thanks go to everybody that has backed our journey, 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 most of the contestants of 2025 coming back for one more routine.

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

A representative denied the claim, saying the show's public vote was "externally monitored and verified to ensure total fairness".

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

The Hosts' Last Show

Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise announcement 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 fronted Strictly's sister show It Takes Two since 2004.

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

During the televised event, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were recorded notes from celebrity chef 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 created, the challenges conquered and the happiness shared in undertaking a joint endeavour.

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

"The kindness, care and sheer 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 holiday episode, which airs on 25 December.