Strictly Winners Announced in Spectacular Grand Final
This article reveals the outcome of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 culminating event.
Ex- Lioness Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly winner, becoming the first footballer to win the coveted trophy.
She defeated Love Islander Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after winning the audience vote in Saturday's grand finale.
Carney, who was dancing with professional dancer Carlos Gu, stated: "This is incredible, it's been the greatest honour," before adding she was "overwhelmed".
It was an heartfelt night in the ballroom, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the final occasion - with Queen Camilla among those paying tribute to the long-running hosts.
In a message presented by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, compassion and pure joy" had been at the core of the show's popularity, adding: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly brilliant".
Following tradition, one of the dances in the final show was selected by the judges, one was their own favourite dance from the competition, and the other was a show dance.
The judges gave guidance scores but the public made the ultimate choice.
Carney and Gu performed 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, earning them a rapturous reception - and their second full marks of the night.
But the victorious duo faced strong competition from the other competing 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 revisited 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 tangos, it was Carney and Gu's night as they topped 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 "changed my life," adding: "To the young people watching at home, dream big and be proud and never give up."
Other highlights on the night included most of the cast of 2025 coming back for one more performance.
However, online figure Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had claimed earlier that the elimination process that saw him exit the show was unfair.
A representative denied the claim, saying the show's public vote was "externally monitored and checked to ensure complete fairness".
The boyband Five also performed a string of their popular songs during the finale.
Tess and Claudia's Final Show
Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the shock 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 joined in 2014, having fronted Strictly's companion program It Takes Two since 2004.
This was their last time hosting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with 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 said: "It has often seemed to me that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about friendships: the connections forged, the challenges overcome and the joy experienced in undertaking a joint endeavour.
"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly partnership of all.
"The warmth, care and pure joy you have projected with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's success."
Daly and Winkleman's last ever appearance will be the holiday episode, which is broadcast on 25 December.
