Strictly Winners Announced in Spectacular Live Finale
This piece covers the conclusion of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 final.
Ex- Lioness Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly Come Dancing champion, emerging as the first footballer to lift the glitterball trophy.
She defeated Love Islander Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after securing the viewers' vote in Saturday's grand finale.
Carney, who was dancing with pro partner Carlos Gu, stated: "This is incredible, it's been the greatest privilege," before saying she was "speechless".
It was an poignant night in the studio, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the final occasion - with the Queen among those offering praise to the long-running hosts.
In a message read out by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, empathy and pure joy" had been at the heart of the show's success, stating: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly wonderful".
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 public made the ultimate choice.
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 sports-inspired jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, earning them a standing ovation - and their second perfect score of the night.
But the winning pair faced stiff rivalry from the other competing couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to grace the stage.
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 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 ballroom dances, it was Carney and Gu's night as they won the public vote.
"My sincere thanks go to everybody that has supported our journey, and supported us," said Carney.
Gu told her she had "changed my life," adding: "To the young people watching at home, aim high and be proud 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 appear. He had claimed earlier that the vote that saw him exit the show was rigged.
A spokesperson rejected the claim, saying the show's public vote was "externally monitored and verified to ensure complete fairness".
The group Five also performed a selection of their popular songs during the grand final.
The Hosts' Last Show
In October, 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 hosted Strictly's sister show It Takes Two since 2004.
This was their last time hosting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with emotion as they said their goodbyes.
During the televised event, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were messages 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 forged, the challenges conquered and the joy shared in undertaking a joint endeavour.
"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly pairing of all.
"The warmth, compassion and sheer joy you have projected with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's appeal."
Daly and Winkleman's last ever show will be the Christmas special, which airs on 25 December.
