Strictly Come Dancing Winners Announced in Glitzy Grand Final

This article reveals the conclusion of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing championship.

Ex- Lioness Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly Come Dancing winner, emerging as the first professional soccer player to win the coveted trophy.

She overcame reality TV star Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after winning the audience vote in Saturday's grand finale.

Carney, who was dancing with pro partner Carlos Gu, stated: "This is incredible, it's been the biggest honour," before adding she was "overwhelmed".

It was an poignant night in the ballroom, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the final occasion - with the Queen among those offering praise to the veteran hosts.

In a message presented by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, compassion and sheer happiness" had been at the heart of the show's popularity, adding: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly brilliant".

Following tradition, one of the dances in the final show was chosen by the judges, one was their own preferred dance from the series, and the other was a freestyle routine.

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

Carney and Gu executed dances including a show dance to 'Inner Smile' by Texas, and an Argentine 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, garnering them a standing ovation - and their second full marks of the night.

But the victorious duo faced fierce competition from the other remaining couples.

Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to grace the stage.

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 revisited their Paso Doble to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle.

They also did their show dance 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 viewer poll.

"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, aim high and be proud and never give up."

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

However, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had alleged earlier that the vote that saw him exit the show was unfair.

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

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

Tess and Claudia's Final Show

Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the shock announcement that they would be leaving their roles at the end of this year's season.

Daly has hosted since the inaugural series 21 years ago. Winkleman came on board in 2014, having hosted Strictly's companion program It Takes Two since 2004.

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

During the televised event, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were messages from TV cook Mary Berry, members of the crew and devotees of the show.

The Queen's message read: "I have often thought that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about friendships: the bonds created, the struggles conquered and the happiness experienced in undertaking a shared challenge.

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

"The warmth, care and sheer joy you have radiated with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's success."

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