Strictly Champions Announced in Glitzy Live Final

This piece covers the conclusion of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing culminating event.

Ex- England footballer Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly Come Dancing winner, 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 securing the public vote in Saturday's grand finale.

Carney, who was dancing with professional dancer Carlos Gu, said: "I can't believe it, it's been the greatest privilege," before saying she was "speechless".

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

In a note presented by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, empathy and pure joy" had been at the heart of the show's success, adding: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly wonderful".

Following tradition, one of the dances in the final show was selected by the judges, one was their own preferred 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 executed routines 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 sports-inspired jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, earning them a standing ovation - and their second full marks of the night.

But the winning duo faced strong rivalry from the other competing couples.

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

The couple performed dances including a show dance to 'Rain On Me' by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, a Paso Doble to 'Dream On' by Aerosmith, and a jive to 'Proud Mary'.

In another performance, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr revisited 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 ballroom dances, it was Carney and Gu's night as they topped the public vote.

"My sincere thanks go to everybody that has supported our experience, and supported us," said Carney.

Gu told her she had "been transformative," adding: "To the girls and boys watching at home, aim high and be confident and never give up."

Other highlights on the night included the majority of the cast of 2025 coming back for one more routine.

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

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

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

The Hosts' Final Show

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 inaugural series 21 years ago. Winkleman joined in 2014, having fronted Strictly's companion program It Takes Two since 2004.

This was their last time hosting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with emotion as they said their goodbyes.

During the live broadcast, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were messages 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 friendships: the bonds created, the struggles conquered and the happiness shared in undertaking a joint endeavour.

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

"The warmth, care and pure happiness you have radiated with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's appeal."

Daly and Winkleman's final show will be the holiday episode, which airs on 25 December.