Strictly Champions Announced in Glitzy Live Final
This report details the outcome of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing final.
Former England footballer Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly Come Dancing winner, emerging as the first footballer to lift the glitterball trophy.
She overcame reality TV star Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after winning the viewers' vote in Saturday's live final.
Carney, who was dancing with pro partner Carlos Gu, remarked: "This is incredible, it's been the greatest honour," before adding she was "overwhelmed".
It was an poignant night in the ballroom, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the final occasion - with the Queen 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 "warmth, empathy and pure joy" had been at the heart of the show's popularity, adding: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly wonderful".
As usual, one of the dances in the final show was selected by the judges, one was their own favourite dance from the series, and the other was a freestyle routine.
The judges gave advisory scores but the public made the final decision.
Carney and Gu performed 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 rapturous reception - and their second full marks of the night.
But the victorious duo faced fierce rivalry from the other competing couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to grace the dance floor.
The pair 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 revisited their Paso Doble 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 tangos, it was Carney and Gu's night as they topped the viewer poll.
"My sincere thanks go to everybody that has backed our experience, and supported us," said Carney.
Gu told her she had "changed my life," commenting: "To the girls and boys watching at home, dream big and be proud and never give up."
Other highlights on the night included most of the cast of 2025 returning for one more performance.
Yet, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had claimed earlier that the vote that saw him leave the show was rigged.
A representative denied the allegation, saying the show's audience vote was "independently overseen and verified to ensure complete fairness".
The group Five also performed a selection of their hits during the grand final.
The Hosts' Final Show
Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise 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 joined in 2014, having fronted Strictly's sister show It Takes Two since 2004.
This was their last time presenting a Strictly final, and both were full of emotion as they signed off.
During the live broadcast, as well as the message from the Queen, there were recorded notes from TV cook Mary Berry, members of the crew 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 happiness experienced in undertaking a shared challenge.
"Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly partnership of all.
"The kindness, compassion and pure joy you have projected with and from each other has been at the centre of the show's appeal."
Daly and Winkleman's final show will be the holiday episode, which is broadcast on 25 December.
