Strictly Come Dancing Champions Announced in Glitzy Grand Finale

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

Former England footballer Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly champion, emerging as the first footballer to win the glitterball trophy.

She overcame reality TV star Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after securing the viewers' vote in Saturday's grand finale.

Carney, who was dancing with professional dancer Carlos Gu, said: "This is incredible, it's been the greatest honour," before adding she was "speechless".

It was an heartfelt night in the studio, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted 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, empathy and pure joy" had been at the core of the show's popularity, adding: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly wonderful".

As usual, one of the dances in the final show was selected by the judges, one was their own favourite dance from the competition, 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 sports-inspired jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, earning them a rapturous reception - and their second full marks of the night.

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

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

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 upbeat dance to 'Proud Mary'.

Meanwhile, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr revisited their Paso Doble to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle.

They also did their show dance to 'Human' by The Killers, and a classical 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 viewer poll.

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

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

Other memorable moments on the night included the majority of the contestants of 2025 coming back for one more routine.

However, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had alleged earlier that the elimination process that saw him exit the show was rigged.

A spokesperson denied the claim, saying the show's audience vote was "independently overseen and checked to ensure complete accuracy".

The group Five also performed a string of their popular songs during the grand final.

The Hosts' Last Show

Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the shock 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 joined in 2014, having hosted 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 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 read: "It has often seemed to me that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about relationships: the bonds created, the challenges overcome and the joy experienced in undertaking a shared endeavour.

"Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly partnership of all.

"The kindness, care and pure 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 appearance will be the Christmas special, which is broadcast on 25 December.