Strictly Winners Crowned in Glitzy Grand Finale

This piece covers the result of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 culminating event.

Former England footballer Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly winner, emerging as the first footballer to win the coveted trophy.

She beat Love Islander Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after winning the audience vote in Saturday's grand finale.

Carney, who was paired with pro partner Carlos Gu, stated: "This is incredible, it's been the biggest honour," before adding she was "overwhelmed".

It was an emotional night in the ballroom, as presenters 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 presented 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: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly brilliant".

Following tradition, one of the dances in the grand finale was selected by the judges, one was their own preferred dance from the competition, and the other was a show dance.

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

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, garnering them a standing ovation - and their second full marks of the night.

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

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

The pair delivered 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'.

In another performance, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr performed again their dramatic dance to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle.

They also did their show dance 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 public vote.

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

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

Other memorable moments on the night included the majority of the contestants of 2025 returning for one more routine.

Yet, online figure Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had claimed earlier that the elimination process that saw him exit the show was rigged.

A representative denied the allegation, saying the show's public vote was "independently overseen and checked to ensure complete fairness".

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

The Hosts' Final Final

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 presented since the inaugural series 21 years ago. Winkleman came on board in 2014, having hosted Strictly's sister show It Takes Two since 2004.

This was their last time presenting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with 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 read: "It has often seemed to me that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about friendships: the bonds forged, the challenges conquered and the joy experienced in undertaking a shared endeavour.

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

"The warmth, care and pure joy you have radiated with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's appeal."

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