Strictly Winners Crowned in Spectacular Grand Finale

This report details the result of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 championship.

Former England footballer Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly champion, emerging as the first footballer to claim the glitterball trophy.

She defeated reality TV star Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after winning the viewers' vote in Saturday's live final.

Carney, who was paired with professional dancer Carlos Gu, said: "This is incredible, it's been the greatest honour," before adding she was "speechless".

It was an emotional night in the studio, as presenters 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 presented by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, compassion and pure joy" had been at the heart of the show's popularity, adding: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly brilliant".

As usual, one of the dances in the final show was chosen by the judges, one was their own favourite dance from the series, and the other was a freestyle routine.

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

Carney and Gu performed 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, earning them a rapturous reception - and their second perfect score of the night.

But the winning duo faced stiff competition from the other competing couples.

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

The pair delivered routines including a show dance to 'Rain On Me' by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, a Paso Doble to 'Dream On' by Aerosmith, and a upbeat dance to 'Proud Mary'.

Meanwhile, 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 Viennese 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.

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

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

Other memorable moments on the night included most of the contestants of 2025 returning for one more performance.

Yet, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had claimed earlier that the elimination process that saw him exit the show was rigged.

A representative rejected 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 hits during the grand final.

Tess and Claudia's Last Show

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 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 last time hosting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with feeling as they signed off.

During the televised event, 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 read: "It has often seemed to me that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about friendships: the connections forged, the challenges overcome and the happiness shared in undertaking a shared challenge.

"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly partnership of all.

"The kindness, compassion and sheer joy you have projected with and from each other has been at the centre of the show's success."

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