Strictly Come Dancing Champions Crowned in Spectacular Grand Finale
This article reveals the result of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 final.
Ex- Lioness Karen Carney has been named this year's Strictly Come Dancing champion, emerging as the first professional soccer player to win the glitterball trophy.
She defeated reality TV star Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after securing the audience vote in Saturday's grand finale.
Carney, who was paired with pro partner Carlos Gu, said: "I can't believe it, it's been the biggest honour," before saying she was "lost for words".
It was an heartfelt night in the studio, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the final occasion - with Queen Camilla among those offering praise to the veteran hosts.
In a note presented by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, empathy and pure happiness" had been at the core of the show's success, adding: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly brilliant".
As usual, one of the dances in the grand finale was selected by the judges, one was their own preferred dance from the competition, and the other was a show dance.
The judges gave guidance scores but the public made the ultimate choice.
Carney and Gu executed routines including a show dance 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, garnering them a standing ovation - and their second full marks of the night.
But the winning pair faced stiff competition from the other remaining couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to grace the stage.
The couple 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'.
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 tangos, it was Carney and Gu's night as they won the viewer poll.
"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, dream big and be proud and never give up."
Other highlights on the night included most of the contestants of 2025 coming back for one more routine.
Yet, online figure Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had claimed earlier that the vote that saw him leave the show was rigged.
A representative denied the allegation, saying the show's audience vote was "independently overseen and verified to ensure complete accuracy".
The group Five also performed a selection of their popular songs during the grand final.
Tess and Claudia's Final Final
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 first series 21 years ago. Winkleman joined in 2014, having hosted 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 signed off.
During the televised event, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were messages from celebrity chef 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 relationships: the connections forged, the challenges conquered and the happiness experienced in undertaking a joint challenge.
"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly pairing of all.
"The warmth, care and pure joy you have radiated with and from each other has been at the centre of the show's success."
Daly and Winkleman's final show will be the Christmas special, which airs on 25 December.
