Strictly Come Dancing Champions Announced in Glitzy Grand Final

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

Ex- England footballer Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly Come Dancing winner, emerging as the first footballer to lift the coveted trophy.

She overcame Love Islander Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after winning the audience vote in Saturday's grand finale.

Carney, who was paired with professional dancer Carlos Gu, stated: "It's unbelievable, it's been the greatest honour," before adding she was "speechless".

It was an emotional night in the ballroom, as hosts 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 read out by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, compassion 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 final show was selected by the judges, one was their own favourite dance from the competition, and the other was a show dance.

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

Carney and Gu executed 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 pair faced stiff competition from the other competing couples.

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

The pair performed dances including a show dance to 'Rain On Me' by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, a Spanish-inspired dance to 'Dream On' by Aerosmith, and a jive to 'Proud Mary'.

Meanwhile, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr reprised 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 public vote.

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

Gu told her she had "been transformative," adding: "To the girls and boys watching at home, aim high and be confident and never give up."

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

However, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had claimed earlier that the vote that saw him exit the show was unfair.

A spokesperson rejected the allegation, saying the show's audience vote was "externally monitored and verified to ensure complete accuracy".

The boyband Five also performed a string of their hits during the grand final.

The Hosts' Final Final

Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the shock announcement that they would be stepping down 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 hosted Strictly's companion program It Takes Two since 2004.

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

During the televised event, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were recorded notes from TV cook 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 connections forged, the struggles conquered and the joy shared in undertaking a shared challenge.

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

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

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