Strictly Champions Announced in Glitzy Live Final
This article reveals the conclusion of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing culminating event.
Former Lioness Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly winner, becoming the first footballer to lift the glitterball trophy.
She overcame Love Islander Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after securing the audience vote in Saturday's live final.
Carney, who was paired with professional dancer Carlos Gu, said: "I can't believe it, it's been the biggest privilege," before adding she was "speechless".
It was an heartfelt night in the studio, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the final occasion - with Queen Camilla among those offering praise to the long-running hosts.
In a note read out by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, empathy and pure happiness" had been at the heart of the show's success, stating: "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 preferred 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 standing ovation - and their second full marks 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 stage.
The pair performed routines 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 revisited their dramatic dance to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle.
They also did their freestyle routine 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 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 "been transformative," commenting: "To the young people watching at home, dream big and be confident and never give up."
Other highlights on the night included the majority of the cast of 2025 coming back for one more performance.
Yet, online figure Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had claimed earlier that the vote that saw him exit the show was unfair.
A representative denied the allegation, saying the show's audience vote was "independently overseen and verified to ensure total accuracy".
The group Five also performed a string of their hits during the finale.
The Hosts' Last Show
Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise revelation that they would be stepping down at the end of this year's series.
Daly has hosted since the first series 21 years ago. Winkleman joined in 2014, having hosted 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 tribute from the Queen, there were recorded notes from celebrity chef Mary Berry, members of the production team 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 friendships: the bonds forged, the struggles overcome and the joy shared in undertaking a shared challenge.
"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly pairing of all.
"The warmth, compassion and sheer joy you have projected with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's appeal."
Daly and Winkleman's final appearance will be the Christmas special, which is broadcast on 25 December.
