Strictly Champions Crowned in Glitzy Live Final

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

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

She defeated Love Islander Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after winning the audience vote in Saturday's live final.

Carney, who was dancing with professional dancer Carlos Gu, stated: "It's unbelievable, it's been the biggest honour," before saying she was "lost for words".

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

In a message presented by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, compassion and pure happiness" had been at the core of the show's success, adding: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly fab-u-lous".

Following tradition, one of the dances in the final show was chosen by the judges, one was their own favourite 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 performed dances including a show dance 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 perfect score of the night.

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

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

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 performed again their Paso Doble 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.

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

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

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

Yet, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had alleged earlier that the vote that saw him leave the show was unfair.

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

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

Tess and Claudia's Final Show

In October, 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 first series 21 years ago. Winkleman came on board in 2014, having fronted 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 signed off.

During the televised event, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were messages from celebrity chef Mary Berry, members of the crew 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 struggles conquered and the joy shared in undertaking a joint challenge.

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

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

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