Strictly Come Dancing Champions Crowned in Glitzy Grand Final
This report details the conclusion of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 championship.
Ex- England footballer Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly champion, becoming the first footballer to win the glitterball trophy.
She overcame Love Islander Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after securing the public vote in Saturday's live final.
Carney, who was paired with professional dancer Carlos Gu, stated: "This is incredible, it's been the greatest privilege," before adding she was "lost for words".
It was an poignant night in the studio, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the last time - with Queen Camilla among those offering praise to the veteran hosts.
In a message read out by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, compassion and pure joy" had been at the core of the show's success, adding: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly wonderful".
Following tradition, one of the dances in the final show was chosen by the judges, one was their own favourite dance from the series, and the other was a show dance.
The judges gave advisory scores but the viewing audience made the final decision.
Carney and Gu executed routines including a show dance 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 duo faced stiff rivalry from the other remaining couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to take to the dance floor.
The pair 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 upbeat dance 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 show dance 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 won the public vote.
"My sincere thanks go to everybody that has backed 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 memorable moments on the night included most of the cast of 2025 coming back for one more performance.
Yet, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had claimed earlier that the vote that saw him exit the show was rigged.
A representative denied the claim, saying the show's audience vote was "independently overseen and checked to ensure complete accuracy".
The group Five also performed a selection of their popular songs during the finale.
The Hosts' Last Final
In October, Daly and Winkleman made the shock revelation that they would be leaving their roles at the end of this year's season.
Daly has presented since the first series 21 years ago. Winkleman joined in 2014, having fronted Strictly's sister show It Takes Two since 2004.
This was their final time hosting a Strictly final, and both were full of feeling as they said their goodbyes.
During the live broadcast, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were messages from celebrity chef Mary Berry, members of the production team and fans of the show.
The Queen's message said: "I have often thought that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about friendships: the connections forged, the struggles overcome and the happiness shared in undertaking a joint endeavour.
"Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly partnership of all.
"The warmth, compassion and pure joy you have projected with and from each other has been at the centre of the show's success."
Daly and Winkleman's last ever show will be the Christmas special, which is broadcast on 25 December.
