Strictly Champions Announced in Spectacular Grand Final
This article reveals the outcome of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing championship.
Ex- England footballer Karen Carney has been named this year's Strictly winner, becoming the first professional soccer player to claim the glitterball trophy.
She overcame Love Islander Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after winning the audience vote in Saturday's live final.
Carney, who was paired with pro partner Carlos Gu, stated: "It's unbelievable, it's been the biggest honour," before saying she was "lost for words".
It was an heartfelt night in the ballroom, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the final occasion - with Queen Camilla among those paying tribute to the long-running hosts.
In a note read out by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, empathy and sheer joy" had been at the heart of the show's success, stating: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly brilliant".
As usual, one of the dances in the final show was selected by the judges, one was their own preferred dance from the series, and the other was a freestyle routine.
The judges gave guidance scores but the viewing audience 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 standing ovation - and their second full marks of the night.
But the victorious duo faced stiff competition from the other competing couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to grace the dance floor.
The couple delivered routines 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'.
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 classical waltz to 'Somebody to Love' by Queen.
But after weeks of ballroom dances, it was Carney and Gu's night as they won 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 "changed my life," adding: "To the girls and boys watching at home, aim high and be proud and never give up."
Other memorable moments on the night included most of the cast of 2025 returning for one more routine.
However, online figure Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had claimed earlier that the vote that saw him exit the show was rigged.
A representative denied the claim, saying the show's audience vote was "independently overseen and checked to ensure total fairness".
The boyband Five also performed a string of their hits during the grand final.
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 hosting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with feeling as they signed off.
During the live broadcast, as well as the message 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: "I have often thought that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about relationships: the bonds created, the challenges overcome and the joy shared in undertaking a joint challenge.
"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly partnership of all.
"The warmth, care and sheer joy you have radiated with and from each other has been at the centre of the show's success."
Daly and Winkleman's final appearance will be the Christmas special, which is broadcast on 25 December.
