Strictly Winners Crowned in Glitzy Grand Finale

This article reveals the outcome of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 championship.

Ex- Lioness Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly winner, emerging as the first footballer to lift the coveted trophy.

She beat Love Islander Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after winning the audience vote in Saturday's live final.

Carney, who was dancing with pro partner Carlos Gu, remarked: "I can't believe it, it's been the biggest privilege," before adding she was "speechless".

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

In a note read out by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, compassion and sheer happiness" had been at the core of the show's popularity, adding: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly brilliant".

Following tradition, one of the dances in the grand finale was chosen by the judges, one was their own preferred dance from the series, and the other was a freestyle routine.

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

Carney and Gu executed routines 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, garnering them a rapturous reception - and their second perfect score of the night.

But the winning duo faced stiff rivalry from the other remaining couples.

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

The couple 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 jive 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 show dance 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 public vote.

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

Gu told her she had "changed my life," adding: "To the girls and boys watching at home, aim high and be confident and never give up."

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

However, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had alleged earlier that the vote that saw him leave the show was unfair.

A spokesperson rejected the allegation, saying the show's audience vote was "independently overseen and verified to ensure complete fairness".

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

The Hosts' Last Show

In October, 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 came on board in 2014, having hosted Strictly's sister show It Takes Two since 2004.

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

During the televised event, as well as the message from the Queen, there were recorded notes from celebrity chef 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 overcome and the happiness experienced in undertaking a shared endeavour.

"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly pairing of all.

"The kindness, compassion and sheer joy you have radiated with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's success."

Daly and Winkleman's final show will be the holiday episode, which is broadcast on 25 December.