Strictly Come Dancing Winners Crowned in Spectacular Grand Finale

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

Ex- England footballer Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly winner, becoming the first professional soccer player to win the coveted trophy.

She beat reality TV star Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after securing the viewers' vote in Saturday's live final.

Carney, who was paired with professional dancer Carlos Gu, remarked: "I can't believe it, it's been the biggest honour," before saying she was "overwhelmed".

It was an poignant night in the studio, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the final occasion - with the Queen among those paying tribute to the veteran 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 heart of the show's popularity, adding: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly fab-u-lous".

Following tradition, 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 show dance.

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

Carney and Gu executed routines including a freestyle to 'Inner Smile' by Texas, and an 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 full marks of the night.

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

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

The pair performed dances including a freestyle to 'Rain On Me' by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, a Spanish-inspired dance to 'Dream On' by Aerosmith, and a upbeat dance 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 show dance to 'Human' by The Killers, and a Viennese Waltz to 'Somebody to Love' by Queen.

But after weeks of salsas and foxtrots, it was Carney and Gu's night as they won 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 "been transformative," 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 contestants of 2025 returning for one more performance.

However, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had alleged earlier that the elimination process that saw him exit the show was rigged.

A representative rejected the claim, saying the show's audience vote was "independently overseen and verified to ensure total accuracy".

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

Tess and Claudia's Last Final

In October, 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 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 feeling as they said their goodbyes.

During the televised event, as well as the message 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 read: "I have often thought that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about friendships: the connections created, the challenges conquered and the joy experienced in undertaking a shared challenge.

"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly partnership 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 success."

Daly and Winkleman's final appearance will be the Christmas special, which is broadcast on 25 December.