Strictly Winners Announced in Glitzy Grand Finale

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

Ex- Lioness Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly winner, emerging as the first professional soccer player to claim the glitterball trophy.

She beat Love Islander Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after securing the public vote in Saturday's live final.

Carney, who was paired with pro partner Carlos Gu, stated: "I can't believe it, 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 final occasion - with Queen Camilla among those paying tribute to the veteran hosts.

In a note presented by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, empathy and pure joy" had been at the heart 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 final show was chosen 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 public made the final decision.

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 perfect score of the night.

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

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

The couple delivered 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 jive to 'Proud Mary'.

In another performance, 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 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," commenting: "To the girls and boys watching at home, aim high and be confident and never give up."

Other memorable moments on the night included most of the cast of 2025 coming back for one more routine.

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

A representative rejected the claim, saying the show's public vote was "independently overseen and checked to ensure total fairness".

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

The Hosts' 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 presented since the inaugural series 21 years ago. Winkleman came on board in 2014, having fronted Strictly's companion program It Takes Two since 2004.

This was their final time presenting 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 crew and devotees of the show.

The Queen's message said: "It has often seemed to me that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about friendships: the connections forged, the struggles conquered and the joy experienced in undertaking a joint challenge.

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

"The kindness, compassion and pure happiness 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 airs on 25 December.