Strictly Champions Announced in Spectacular Grand Final
This report details the conclusion of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing culminating event.
Ex- England footballer Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly winner, becoming the first footballer to win the glitterball trophy.
She beat reality TV star Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after winning the viewers' vote in Saturday's grand finale.
Carney, who was dancing with professional dancer Carlos Gu, remarked: "This is incredible, it's been the greatest honour," before saying she was "speechless".
It was an poignant night in the studio, as hosts 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 judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, empathy and sheer joy" had been at the core of the show's success, 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 freestyle routine.
The judges gave advisory scores but the viewing audience made the ultimate choice.
Carney and Gu performed dances 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 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 strong rivalry from the other competing couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first 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 jive 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 Viennese Waltz to 'Somebody to Love' by Queen.
But after weeks of tangos, it was Carney and Gu's night as they won the viewer poll.
"My sincere thanks go to everybody that has supported our experience, and supported us," said Carney.
Gu told her she had "changed my life," commenting: "To the young people watching at home, aim high and be proud and never give up."
Other highlights on the night included most of the cast of 2025 returning for one more performance.
However, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had claimed earlier that the vote that saw him leave the show was unfair.
A spokesperson denied the allegation, saying the show's audience vote was "externally monitored and verified to ensure total fairness".
The boyband Five also performed a string of their hits during the finale.
The Hosts' Last Final
Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise announcement that they would be stepping down at the end of this year's season.
Daly has hosted since the inaugural series 21 years ago. Winkleman joined in 2014, having hosted Strictly's sister show It Takes Two since 2004.
This was their final time hosting 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 messages from celebrity chef Mary Berry, members of the production team and devotees of the show.
The Queen's message read: "It has often seemed to me that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about friendships: the connections created, the challenges conquered and the joy shared in undertaking a shared endeavour.
"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly pairing of all.
"The warmth, compassion and sheer joy you have radiated with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's appeal."
Daly and Winkleman's last ever show will be the holiday episode, which airs on 25 December.
