Strictly Come Dancing Champions Announced in Glitzy Live Finale
This article reveals the outcome of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 final.
Ex- Lioness Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly winner, emerging as the first footballer to win the coveted trophy.
She beat reality TV star Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after winning the audience vote in Saturday's live final.
Carney, who was dancing with professional dancer Carlos Gu, said: "It's unbelievable, it's been the greatest privilege," before saying she was "lost for words".
It was an emotional night in the studio, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the last time - with Queen Camilla among those paying tribute to the long-running hosts.
In a message presented by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, compassion and sheer happiness" had been at the core of the show's success, stating: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly brilliant".
As usual, 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 guidance scores but the viewing audience made the final decision.
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 football-themed jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, garnering them a rapturous reception - and their second perfect score of the night.
But the victorious duo faced strong rivalry from the other competing couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to take to the stage.
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 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 viewer poll.
"My sincere thanks go to everybody that has backed our journey, and supported us," said Carney.
Gu told her she had "been transformative," 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 coming back for one more performance.
However, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had claimed earlier that the vote that saw him exit the show was rigged.
A representative denied the claim, saying the show's public vote was "externally monitored and verified to ensure complete fairness".
The boyband Five also performed a string of their popular songs during the finale.
The Hosts' Final Final
In October, Daly and Winkleman made the shock revelation that they would be stepping down 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 fronted Strictly's companion program It Takes Two since 2004.
This was their last time hosting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with emotion as they said their goodbyes.
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 friendships: the connections forged, the struggles overcome and the joy experienced in undertaking a shared endeavour.
"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly partnership of all.
"The kindness, care and pure happiness you have projected with and from each other has been at the centre of the show's appeal."
Daly and Winkleman's final appearance will be the holiday episode, which is broadcast on 25 December.
