Strictly Come Dancing Champions Crowned in Spectacular Grand Final
This report details the outcome of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 championship.
Ex- Lioness Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly Come Dancing champion, becoming the first footballer to lift the coveted trophy.
She overcame reality TV star Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after securing the public vote in Saturday's live final.
Carney, who was dancing with pro partner Carlos Gu, remarked: "It's unbelievable, it's been the biggest privilege," before adding she was "speechless".
It was an emotional night in the ballroom, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted 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, 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 fab-u-lous".
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 executed 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 sports-inspired jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, earning 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 initial to grace the stage.
The couple 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'.
In another performance, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr revisited their Paso Doble 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 experience, and supported us," said Carney.
Gu told her she had "changed my life," commenting: "To the young people watching at home, dream big and be proud and never give up."
Other memorable moments on the night included most of the cast of 2025 returning for one more routine.
Yet, online figure Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had alleged earlier that the vote that saw him exit the show was unfair.
A representative rejected the allegation, saying the show's audience vote was "independently overseen and checked to ensure total fairness".
The boyband Five also performed a string of their popular songs during the grand final.
Tess and Claudia's Last Show
In October, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise revelation 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 fronted Strictly's companion program It Takes Two since 2004.
This was their last time presenting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with emotion as they said their goodbyes.
During the live broadcast, as well as the message from the Queen, there were recorded notes from celebrity chef Mary Berry, members of the production team and fans 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 forged, the struggles conquered and the joy experienced in undertaking a shared endeavour.
"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly pairing of all.
"The kindness, care and sheer happiness you have radiated with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's success."
Daly and Winkleman's final appearance will be the Christmas special, which is broadcast on 25 December.
