Strictly Come Dancing Champions Announced in Glitzy Grand Finale
This piece covers the result of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing championship.
Former Lioness Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly Come Dancing winner, becoming the first footballer to claim the glitterball trophy.
She defeated Love Islander Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after winning the public vote in Saturday's grand finale.
Carney, who was dancing with professional dancer Carlos Gu, stated: "This is incredible, it's been the greatest honour," before adding she was "overwhelmed".
It was an heartfelt night in the ballroom, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the last time - with the Queen among those offering praise to the long-running hosts.
In a note read out by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, compassion and sheer joy" had been at the heart of the show's success, stating: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly fab-u-lous".
As usual, one of the dances in the grand finale was chosen 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 final decision.
Carney and Gu executed 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, garnering them a standing ovation - and their second full marks of the night.
But the winning duo faced strong rivalry from the other competing couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to grace the dance floor.
The pair delivered routines including a freestyle 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 performed again 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.
"I just want to say thank you to everybody that has backed 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 proud and never give up."
Other memorable moments on the night included most of the contestants of 2025 returning for one more performance.
Yet, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had alleged earlier that the vote that saw him leave the show was rigged.
A spokesperson rejected the allegation, saying the show's public vote was "independently overseen and verified to ensure complete fairness".
The boyband Five also performed a string of their popular songs during the grand final.
The Hosts' Final Final
In October, Daly and Winkleman made the shock announcement that they would be stepping down at the end of this year's series.
Daly has hosted since the inaugural series 21 years ago. Winkleman came on board in 2014, having hosted Strictly's sister show It Takes Two since 2004.
This was their last time presenting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with feeling as they said their goodbyes.
During the live broadcast, as well as the message from the Queen, there were messages from TV cook Mary Berry, members of the production team 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 friendships: the connections forged, the challenges overcome and the joy experienced in undertaking a joint endeavour.
"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly pairing of all.
"The warmth, care and pure happiness you have projected with and from each other has been at the centre of the show's success."
Daly and Winkleman's last ever appearance will be the holiday episode, which is broadcast on 25 December.
