Strictly Come Dancing Champions Announced in Spectacular Grand Finale
This article reveals the conclusion of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 culminating event.
Former Lioness Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly champion, emerging as the first footballer to lift the coveted trophy.
She overcame Love Islander Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after securing the public vote in Saturday's live final.
Carney, who was dancing with pro partner Carlos Gu, stated: "It's unbelievable, it's been the biggest privilege," before saying she was "lost for words".
It was an emotional night in the ballroom, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the last time - with the Queen among those paying tribute to the veteran hosts.
In a note read out 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: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly wonderful".
Following tradition, one of the dances in the grand finale was chosen by the judges, one was their own preferred dance from the series, and the other was a show dance.
The judges gave advisory scores but the public made the final decision.
Carney and Gu performed dances 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 football-themed jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, garnering them a standing ovation - and their second full marks of the night.
But the victorious pair faced strong competition from the other competing couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to grace the dance floor.
The pair performed dances 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 revisited 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 tangos, it was Carney and Gu's night as they won the viewer poll.
"I just want to say thank you to everybody that has backed our experience, and supported us," said Carney.
Gu told her she had "changed my life," adding: "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 returning for one more routine.
However, online figure Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had alleged earlier that the elimination process that saw him exit the show was unfair.
A representative rejected the claim, saying the show's audience vote was "independently overseen and checked to ensure complete accuracy".
The boyband Five also performed a selection of their hits during the grand final.
The Hosts' Final Final
Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the shock 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 hosted Strictly's sister show It Takes Two since 2004.
This was their last time presenting 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: "I have often thought that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about friendships: the bonds created, the challenges overcome and the happiness shared in undertaking a shared challenge.
"Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly partnership of all.
"The warmth, care and sheer happiness you have radiated with and from each other has been at the centre of the show's success."
Daly and Winkleman's last ever appearance will be the holiday episode, which airs on 25 December.
