Strictly Champions Announced in Glitzy Grand Finale
This article reveals the outcome of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 final.
Ex- England footballer Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly winner, emerging as the first footballer to lift the coveted trophy.
She beat reality TV star Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after winning the audience vote in Saturday's grand finale.
Carney, who was dancing with professional dancer Carlos Gu, said: "This is incredible, it's been the greatest honour," before saying she was "lost for words".
It was an heartfelt night in the ballroom, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the last time - with the Queen among those paying tribute 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 sheer happiness" had been at the core of the show's popularity, stating: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly brilliant".
As usual, one of the dances in the grand finale was chosen 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 viewing audience made the final decision.
Carney and Gu performed routines 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 sports-inspired jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, garnering them a standing ovation - and their second perfect score 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 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 reprised their dramatic dance 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 tangos, it was Carney and Gu's night as they topped 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," adding: "To the girls and boys watching at home, aim high and be proud and never give up."
Other memorable moments on the night included the majority of the contestants of 2025 coming back for one more routine.
However, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had alleged earlier that the elimination process that saw him leave the show was unfair.
A spokesperson denied the allegation, saying the show's audience vote was "independently overseen and checked to ensure complete fairness".
The boyband Five also performed a selection of their popular songs during the finale.
Tess and Claudia's Final Final
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 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 overcome with emotion as they signed off.
During the live broadcast, 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 relationships: the connections created, the struggles overcome and the happiness shared in undertaking a joint challenge.
"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly pairing 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 success."
Daly and Winkleman's final appearance will be the Christmas special, which airs on 25 December.
