Strictly Winners Crowned in Glitzy Grand Finale
This report details the result of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing culminating event.
Former England footballer Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly Come Dancing champion, becoming the first footballer to claim the glitterball trophy.
She beat reality TV star Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after securing the audience vote in Saturday's grand finale.
Carney, who was paired with pro partner Carlos Gu, remarked: "I can't believe it, it's been the greatest honour," before adding she was "overwhelmed".
It was an heartfelt night in the studio, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the last time - with the Queen among those paying tribute to the long-running hosts.
In a message read out by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, compassion and sheer joy" 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".
Following tradition, 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 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 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, earning them a standing ovation - and their second perfect score of the night.
But the winning pair faced stiff rivalry from the other remaining couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to grace the stage.
The couple delivered dances including a freestyle 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 show dance to 'Human' by The Killers, and a classical waltz to 'Somebody to Love' by Queen.
But after weeks of ballroom dances, it was Carney and Gu's night as they won the viewer poll.
"My sincere thanks go to everybody that has supported our experience, and supported us," said Carney.
Gu told her she had "changed my life," commenting: "To the girls and boys watching at home, dream big and be proud and never give up."
Other highlights on the night included the majority of the cast of 2025 coming back for one more routine.
Yet, online figure Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had alleged earlier that the elimination process that saw him exit the show was unfair.
A representative denied the claim, saying the show's audience vote was "externally monitored and verified to ensure complete 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 shock announcement that they would be leaving their roles at the end of this year's series.
Daly has hosted since the inaugural series 21 years ago. Winkleman joined in 2014, having fronted Strictly's companion program It Takes Two since 2004.
This was their last time hosting a Strictly final, and both were full of feeling as they signed off.
During the live broadcast, as well as the message from the Queen, there were recorded notes from TV cook Mary Berry, members of the crew and devotees of the show.
The Queen's message read: "I have often thought that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about relationships: the connections forged, the struggles conquered and the happiness experienced in undertaking a joint endeavour.
"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly partnership of all.
"The warmth, compassion and sheer happiness you have radiated with and from each other has been at the centre of the show's appeal."
Daly and Winkleman's last ever show will be the holiday episode, which airs on 25 December.
