Strictly Come Dancing Winners Announced in Glitzy Grand Finale

This piece covers the outcome of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 final.

Former Lioness Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly champion, emerging as the first professional soccer player to claim the coveted trophy.

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

Carney, who was dancing with pro partner Carlos Gu, said: "I can't believe it, it's been the greatest privilege," before adding she was "overwhelmed".

It was an heartfelt night in the ballroom, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the last time - with Queen Camilla among those paying tribute to the long-running hosts.

In a message read out by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, compassion and sheer joy" had been at the heart of the show's popularity, adding: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly wonderful".

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 show dance.

The judges gave advisory scores but the public made the ultimate choice.

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 standing ovation - and their second full marks of the night.

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

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

The pair 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'.

Meanwhile, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr performed again their Paso Doble 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 public vote.

"I just want to say thank you 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 the majority of the contestants of 2025 coming back for one more routine.

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 denied the claim, saying the show's public vote was "externally monitored and checked to ensure complete fairness".

The boyband Five also performed a selection of their popular songs during the grand final.

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 hosted since the inaugural 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 hosting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with feeling as they said their goodbyes.

During the televised event, as well as the message from the Queen, there were recorded notes from TV cook Mary Berry, members of the production team and devotees 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.

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

"The kindness, 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 is broadcast on 25 December.