Strictly Come Dancing Winners Crowned in Glitzy Grand Final

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

Ex- England footballer Karen Carney has been named this year's Strictly Come Dancing champion, emerging as the first footballer to lift the glitterball trophy.

She defeated Love Islander Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after winning the audience vote in Saturday's grand finale.

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

It was an heartfelt night in the studio, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the last time - with the Queen among those offering praise to the long-running hosts.

In a note read out by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, empathy and sheer happiness" had been at the core of the show's popularity, stating: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly fab-u-lous".

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 show dance.

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

Carney and Gu executed dances 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 perfect score of the night.

But the victorious duo faced strong rivalry from the other competing couples.

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

The pair delivered dances including a freestyle to 'Rain On Me' by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, a Spanish-inspired dance to 'Dream On' by Aerosmith, and a jive to 'Proud Mary'.

Meanwhile, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr reprised their Paso Doble 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 public vote.

"I just want to say thank you to everybody that has supported 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 memorable moments on the night included the majority of the contestants of 2025 returning for one more performance.

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

A spokesperson denied the claim, saying the show's audience vote was "independently overseen and checked to ensure total fairness".

The boyband Five also performed a selection of their popular songs during the grand final.

The Hosts' Last Final

Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise revelation that they would be leaving their roles at the end of this year's series.

Daly has presented since the first series 21 years ago. Winkleman joined in 2014, having hosted Strictly's sister show It Takes Two since 2004.

This was their final time hosting a Strictly final, and both were full of emotion 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 crew 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 forged, the challenges overcome and the joy experienced in undertaking a joint challenge.

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

"The warmth, compassion and pure joy you have radiated with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's appeal."

Daly and Winkleman's last ever appearance will be the holiday episode, which is broadcast on 25 December.