Strictly Champions Announced in Glitzy Grand Finale

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

Ex- Lioness Karen Carney has been named this year's Strictly Come Dancing winner, becoming the first footballer to claim the coveted trophy.

She defeated reality TV star Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after securing the viewers' vote in Saturday's grand finale.

Carney, who was paired with pro partner Carlos Gu, remarked: "This is incredible, it's been the greatest privilege," before saying she was "speechless".

It was an emotional night in the ballroom, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the final occasion - with Queen Camilla 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 "warmth, compassion and pure joy" had been at the heart of the show's success, adding: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly brilliant".

As usual, one of the dances in the grand finale was chosen by the judges, one was their own preferred dance from the series, and the other was a freestyle routine.

The judges gave guidance scores but the viewing audience made the ultimate choice.

Carney and Gu executed routines 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 standing ovation - and their second full marks of the night.

But the victorious pair faced strong competition from the other competing couples.

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

The couple performed dances including a show dance 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 salsas and foxtrots, it was Carney and Gu's night as they won the public vote.

"I just want to say thank you to everybody that has supported our experience, and supported us," said Carney.

Gu told her she had "been transformative," adding: "To the young people watching at home, dream big and be confident and never give up."

Other highlights on the night included the majority of the contestants of 2025 returning for one more performance.

However, 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 denied 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 hits during the finale.

Tess and Claudia's Last Show

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

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 hosting 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 relationships: the bonds created, the challenges conquered and the happiness shared in undertaking a joint challenge.

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

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

Daly and Winkleman's final appearance will be the holiday episode, which airs on 25 December.