Strictly Winners Crowned in Spectacular Live Finale

This article reveals the result of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing championship.

Ex- England footballer Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly Come Dancing winner, emerging as the first professional soccer player to claim the coveted trophy.

She overcame reality TV star Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after winning the audience vote in Saturday's grand finale.

Carney, who was dancing with pro partner Carlos Gu, stated: "This is incredible, it's been the greatest privilege," before saying she was "lost for words".

It was an poignant night in the ballroom, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the last time - with the Queen among those offering praise to the long-running hosts.

In a note read out by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, compassion and sheer joy" had been at the heart 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 favourite dance from the series, and the other was a show dance.

The judges gave advisory scores but the public made the ultimate choice.

Carney and Gu performed dances including a show dance to 'Inner Smile' by Texas, and an Argentine 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 winning duo faced fierce competition from the other competing couples.

Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to grace the dance floor.

The pair delivered dances 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'.

In another performance, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr reprised their dramatic dance 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 tangos, it was Carney and Gu's night as they topped the viewer poll.

"I just want to say thank you 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, dream big and be confident and never give up."

Other highlights on the night included most of the cast of 2025 coming back for one more routine.

However, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had claimed earlier that the vote that saw him leave the show was rigged.

A spokesperson denied the claim, saying the show's audience vote was "externally monitored and checked to ensure total fairness".

The group Five also performed a selection of their hits during the grand final.

Tess and Claudia's Last Show

In October, 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 first series 21 years ago. Winkleman joined in 2014, having hosted Strictly's companion program It Takes Two since 2004.

This was their last time presenting a Strictly final, and both were full of feeling as they signed off.

During the televised event, 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 forged, the challenges overcome and the joy experienced in undertaking a shared challenge.

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

"The kindness, care and sheer 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.