Strictly Come Dancing Champions Crowned in Glitzy Grand Finale

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

Former Lioness Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly champion, emerging as the first footballer to win the coveted trophy.

She beat reality TV star Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after securing the audience vote in Saturday's grand finale.

Carney, who was dancing with pro partner Carlos Gu, remarked: "I can't believe it, it's been the greatest honour," before saying she was "lost for words".

It was an poignant night in the ballroom, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the final occasion - with the Queen among those paying tribute to the long-running hosts.

In a message read out by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, empathy and sheer joy" had been at the core of the show's success, stating: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly wonderful".

As usual, 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 freestyle routine.

The judges gave guidance scores but the viewing audience made the ultimate choice.

Carney and Gu executed routines including a freestyle 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 standing ovation - and their second full marks of the night.

But the winning pair faced fierce competition from the other remaining couples.

Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first 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 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 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 topped the public vote.

"My sincere thanks go to everybody that has supported our experience, and supported us," said Carney.

Gu told her she had "changed my life," commenting: "To the young people watching at home, dream big and be confident and never give up."

Other highlights on the night included the majority of the contestants of 2025 returning for one more routine.

However, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had claimed earlier that the elimination process that saw him exit the show was unfair.

A representative rejected the claim, saying the show's public vote was "externally monitored and checked to ensure complete accuracy".

The group Five also performed a string of their hits during the finale.

Tess and Claudia's Final Final

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

Daly has presented since the first series 21 years ago. Winkleman joined in 2014, having hosted Strictly's companion program It Takes Two since 2004.

This was their final time hosting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with emotion as they said their goodbyes.

During the live broadcast, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were messages from TV cook Mary Berry, members of the production team 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 friendships: the connections forged, the struggles overcome and the happiness experienced in undertaking a shared challenge.

"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly partnership of all.

"The kindness, compassion and sheer joy you have radiated with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's success."

Daly and Winkleman's final show will be the holiday episode, which is broadcast on 25 December.