Strictly Champions Crowned in Glitzy Grand Final
This article reveals the outcome of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing final.
Ex- Lioness Karen Carney has been named this year's Strictly champion, becoming the first professional soccer player to lift the glitterball trophy.
She defeated reality TV star Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after winning the public vote in Saturday's grand finale.
Carney, who was paired with pro partner Carlos Gu, said: "It's unbelievable, it's been the greatest honour," before saying she was "speechless".
It was an heartfelt night in the studio, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the final occasion - with Queen Camilla among those paying tribute to the veteran 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 success, adding: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly brilliant".
As usual, one of the dances in the grand finale was selected by the judges, one was their own favourite dance from the series, and the other was a show dance.
The judges gave guidance scores but the viewing audience made the ultimate choice.
Carney and Gu performed routines 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 full marks of the night.
But the victorious duo faced stiff rivalry from the other competing couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to take to the dance floor.
The couple performed routines 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 revisited their Paso Doble 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 salsas and foxtrots, 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 young people watching at home, aim high and be confident and never give up."
Other memorable moments on the night included the majority of the contestants of 2025 returning for one more performance.
Yet, online figure Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had claimed earlier that the elimination process that saw him exit the show was unfair.
A spokesperson rejected the allegation, saying the show's public vote was "independently overseen and checked to ensure total accuracy".
The boyband Five also performed a selection of their popular songs during the grand final.
Tess and Claudia's Final Final
Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the shock revelation that they would be leaving their roles 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 sister show It Takes Two since 2004.
This was their final time presenting a Strictly final, and both were full of feeling as they signed off.
During the live broadcast, as well as the message from the Queen, there were messages from celebrity chef Mary Berry, members of the production team and fans of the show.
The Queen's message said: "I have often thought that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about friendships: the connections forged, the struggles conquered and the happiness shared in undertaking a joint endeavour.
"Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly partnership of all.
"The kindness, compassion 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 show will be the Christmas special, which airs on 25 December.
