Strictly Come Dancing Champions Announced in Glitzy Live Finale

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

Ex- England footballer Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly Come Dancing winner, becoming the first footballer to claim the glitterball trophy.

She beat Love Islander Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after securing the public vote in Saturday's grand finale.

Carney, who was paired with professional dancer Carlos Gu, remarked: "I can't believe it, it's been the biggest privilege," before adding she was "overwhelmed".

It was an poignant night in the studio, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the final occasion - with the Queen among those paying tribute to the long-running hosts.

In a message read out by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, compassion and pure joy" had been at the core of the show's success, adding: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly brilliant".

Following tradition, one of the dances in the final show was selected by the judges, one was their own preferred dance from the competition, and the other was a show dance.

The judges gave advisory scores but the viewing audience made the final decision.

Carney and Gu executed dances including a freestyle 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, earning them a standing ovation - and their second perfect score of the night.

But the winning pair faced fierce rivalry from the other competing couples.

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

The pair performed routines including a show dance 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'.

In another performance, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr revisited 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 tangos, it was Carney and Gu's night as they won the viewer poll.

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

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

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

However, online figure Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had alleged earlier that the elimination process that saw him leave the show was rigged.

A spokesperson rejected the allegation, saying the show's public vote was "externally monitored and verified to ensure total fairness".

The boyband Five also performed a selection of their hits during the finale.

The Hosts' Final Final

In October, Daly and Winkleman made the shock 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 hosted Strictly's companion program It Takes Two since 2004.

This was their final time presenting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with emotion as they said their goodbyes.

During the live broadcast, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were messages from TV cook 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 friendships: the connections created, the struggles 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 warmth, care and sheer happiness you have radiated with and from each other has been at the centre of the show's appeal."

Daly and Winkleman's final appearance will be the Christmas special, which airs on 25 December.