Strictly Come Dancing Champions Crowned in Spectacular Grand Finale

This report details the result of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 culminating event.

Ex- England footballer Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly Come Dancing champion, becoming the first footballer to claim the glitterball trophy.

She defeated reality TV star Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after securing the audience vote in Saturday's live final.

Carney, who was paired with pro partner Carlos Gu, said: "I can't believe it, it's been the biggest privilege," before adding she was "lost for words".

It was an heartfelt night in the ballroom, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the final occasion - with the Queen among those paying tribute to the long-running hosts.

In a note 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: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly brilliant".

Following tradition, one of the dances in the final show 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 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 football-themed jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, earning them a rapturous reception - and their second full marks of the night.

But the winning pair faced fierce competition 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 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 ballroom dances, it was Carney and Gu's night as they topped 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 girls and boys watching at home, aim high and be confident and never give up."

Other memorable moments on the night included most of the cast of 2025 returning for one more routine.

Yet, online figure Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had alleged earlier that the elimination process that saw him exit the show was unfair.

A representative rejected the allegation, saying the show's audience vote was "independently overseen and checked to ensure complete accuracy".

The boyband Five also performed a string of their hits during the finale.

Tess and Claudia's Final Final

Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise revelation that they would be leaving their roles at the end of this year's series.

Daly has presented 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 last time hosting a Strictly final, and both were full of emotion as they said their goodbyes.

During the live broadcast, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were messages from TV cook Mary Berry, members of the crew and fans of the show.

The Queen's message said: "It has often seemed to me that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about friendships: the bonds created, the struggles overcome and the joy shared in undertaking a joint challenge.

"Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly pairing of all.

"The kindness, compassion and pure joy you have projected with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's success."

Daly and Winkleman's last ever show will be the holiday episode, which is broadcast on 25 December.