Strictly Come Dancing Winners Crowned in Glitzy Grand Finale

This piece covers the outcome of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 championship.

Ex- Lioness Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly champion, emerging as the first professional soccer player to claim the coveted trophy.

She defeated Love Islander Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after winning the viewers' vote in Saturday's grand finale.

Carney, who was paired with professional dancer Carlos Gu, stated: "It's unbelievable, it's been the greatest privilege," before saying she was "lost for words".

It was an emotional 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 note read out by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, empathy and sheer joy" had been at the heart of the show's success, adding: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly wonderful".

Following tradition, one of the dances in the final show was selected by the judges, one was their own favourite dance from the series, and the other was a freestyle routine.

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

Carney and Gu executed 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 sports-inspired jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, earning them a rapturous reception - and their second full marks of the night.

But the winning duo faced stiff competition from the other competing couples.

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

The pair performed dances 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 upbeat dance to 'Proud Mary'.

Meanwhile, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr revisited their dramatic dance 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 topped the public vote.

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

Gu told her she had "changed my life," adding: "To the young people watching at home, dream big and be confident and never give up."

Other highlights on the night included the majority of the contestants 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 leave the show was unfair.

A representative rejected the allegation, saying the show's audience vote was "externally monitored and checked to ensure total fairness".

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

The Hosts' Last Final

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

Daly has hosted since the first series 21 years ago. Winkleman joined 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 full of feeling as they signed off.

During the televised event, 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 bonds created, the challenges conquered and the happiness experienced in undertaking a shared challenge.

"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly partnership 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 appeal."

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