Strictly Come Dancing Champions Announced in Spectacular Grand Final

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

Ex- Lioness Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly champion, emerging as the first professional soccer player to claim the coveted trophy.

She overcame Love Islander Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after securing the viewers' vote in Saturday's live final.

Carney, who was dancing with pro partner Carlos Gu, said: "This is incredible, it's been the greatest privilege," before adding she was "overwhelmed".

It was an emotional night in the studio, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the final occasion - with the Queen among those offering praise to the long-running hosts.

In a message read out by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, empathy and pure happiness" had been at the core of the show's success, adding: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly fab-u-lous".

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

The judges gave advisory scores but the viewing audience made the final decision.

Carney and Gu performed 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 rapturous reception - and their second full marks of the night.

But the victorious duo faced fierce competition from the other remaining couples.

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

The pair 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'.

In another performance, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr revisited 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 "changed my life," adding: "To the girls and boys watching at home, dream big and be proud and never give up."

Other highlights on the night included most of the contestants of 2025 returning for one more routine.

However, online figure Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had claimed earlier that the elimination process 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 complete fairness".

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

The Hosts' Last Final

Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the shock 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 fronted 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 televised event, as well as the message from the Queen, there were messages from celebrity chef Mary Berry, members of the crew 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 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 partnership of all.

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

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