Strictly Come Dancing Champions Announced in Spectacular Grand Finale

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

Former England footballer Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly Come Dancing champion, emerging as the first professional soccer player to lift the glitterball trophy.

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

Carney, who was paired with professional dancer Carlos Gu, said: "This is incredible, it's been the biggest privilege," before adding she was "lost for words".

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

In a message presented by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, empathy and sheer happiness" had been at the heart of the show's popularity, stating: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly wonderful".

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

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

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

The pair delivered routines including a freestyle 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'.

In another performance, 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 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 public vote.

"My sincere thanks go to everybody that has supported our experience, 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 memorable moments on the night included the majority of the contestants of 2025 returning for one more routine.

Yet, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had claimed earlier that the vote that saw him exit the show was rigged.

A representative denied the allegation, saying the show's public vote was "independently overseen and verified to ensure total accuracy".

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

Tess and Claudia's Final Show

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 presented 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 presenting a Strictly final, and both were full of feeling as they said their goodbyes.

During the live broadcast, as well as the message from the Queen, there were recorded notes from TV cook Mary Berry, members of the crew and fans 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 shared in undertaking a shared endeavour.

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

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

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