Strictly Winners Crowned in Spectacular Grand Finale

This piece covers the conclusion of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing championship.

Ex- England footballer Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly Come Dancing winner, emerging as the first professional soccer player to claim 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 paired with pro partner Carlos Gu, remarked: "I can't believe it, it's been the biggest privilege," before adding she was "lost for words".

It was an heartfelt night in the studio, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the last time - with Queen Camilla among those offering praise to the long-running hosts.

In a note presented by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, empathy and sheer happiness" had been at the heart of the show's popularity, adding: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly fab-u-lous".

As usual, one of the dances in the grand finale was chosen 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 viewing audience made the final decision.

Carney and Gu executed 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, earning them a rapturous reception - and their second perfect score of the night.

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

Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to take to the stage.

The couple delivered dances including a freestyle to 'Rain On Me' by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, a Paso Doble to 'Dream On' by Aerosmith, and a jive to 'Proud Mary'.

Meanwhile, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr reprised 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 won the viewer poll.

"I just want to say thank you to everybody that has supported our journey, 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 memorable moments on the night included the majority of the cast of 2025 coming back for one more performance.

Yet, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had alleged earlier that the elimination process that saw him leave the show was unfair.

A representative denied the allegation, saying the show's audience vote was "independently overseen and verified to ensure complete accuracy".

The group Five also performed a selection of their popular songs during the finale.

Tess and Claudia's Last Show

Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise announcement that they would be stepping down at the end of this year's season.

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 final time hosting a Strictly final, and both were full of emotion as they signed off.

During the televised event, 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 relationships: the bonds created, the challenges overcome and the happiness shared in undertaking a shared challenge.

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

"The kindness, care 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 holiday episode, which is broadcast on 25 December.