Strictly Come Dancing Champions Announced in Glitzy Live Final

This report details the outcome of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing culminating event.

Former Lioness Karen Carney has been named this year's Strictly Come Dancing champion, emerging as the first footballer to win the coveted trophy.

She beat Love Islander Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after winning the viewers' vote in Saturday's live final.

Carney, who was paired with pro partner Carlos Gu, remarked: "It's unbelievable, it's been the biggest privilege," before adding she was "lost for words".

It was an heartfelt night in the ballroom, 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 message read out by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, compassion and sheer joy" had been at the core of the show's success, stating: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly wonderful".

As usual, one of the dances in the grand finale was chosen by the judges, one was their own favourite dance from the competition, 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 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 football-themed jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, garnering them a rapturous reception - and their second full marks of the night.

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

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

The pair 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'.

Meanwhile, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr reprised their dramatic dance to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle.

They also did their show dance 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 public vote.

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

Gu told her she had "been transformative," commenting: "To the girls and boys watching at home, aim high and be confident and never give up."

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

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

A spokesperson denied the allegation, saying the show's public vote was "independently overseen and verified to ensure complete accuracy".

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 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 hosting a Strictly final, and both were full of feeling as they signed off.

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 fans 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 created, the challenges overcome and the joy experienced in undertaking a shared challenge.

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

"The kindness, compassion and sheer joy you have projected 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 is broadcast on 25 December.