Strictly Come Dancing Winners Announced in Glitzy Live Final

This article reveals the conclusion 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 lift the coveted trophy.

She defeated reality TV star Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after winning the audience vote in Saturday's live final.

Carney, who was paired with pro partner Carlos Gu, stated: "This is incredible, it's been the biggest privilege," before adding she was "overwhelmed".

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

In a message read out by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, empathy and pure joy" had been at the core of the show's popularity, stating: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly fab-u-lous".

Following tradition, 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 viewing audience made the ultimate choice.

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 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 winning pair faced fierce rivalry from the other competing couples.

Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to take to the stage.

The pair delivered dances including a show dance to 'Rain On Me' by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, a Paso Doble to 'Dream On' by Aerosmith, and a upbeat dance to 'Proud Mary'.

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

They also did their show dance to 'Human' by The Killers, and a classical waltz to 'Somebody to Love' by Queen.

But after weeks of ballroom dances, it was Carney and Gu's night as they topped the viewer poll.

"I just want to say thank you to everybody that has backed our experience, and supported us," said Carney.

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

Other highlights on the night included most of the contestants of 2025 returning for one more routine.

However, online figure Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had alleged earlier that the elimination process 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 total fairness".

The group Five also performed a selection of their hits during the grand final.

Tess and Claudia's Last Final

Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the shock announcement 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 fronted Strictly's companion program It Takes Two since 2004.

This was their final time hosting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with emotion as they signed off.

During the live broadcast, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were recorded notes from TV cook Mary Berry, members of the crew and devotees of the show.

The Queen's message said: "I have often thought that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about relationships: the connections forged, the challenges overcome and the happiness shared in undertaking a shared challenge.

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

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

Daly and Winkleman's last ever show will be the Christmas special, which airs on 25 December.