Strictly Come Dancing Champions Announced in Glitzy Grand Finale

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

Former England footballer Karen Carney has been named this year's Strictly winner, emerging as the first footballer to claim the glitterball trophy.

She overcame reality TV star Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after winning the viewers' 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 honour," before saying she was "lost for words".

It was an emotional night in the ballroom, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the last time - with Queen Camilla among those paying tribute to the long-running hosts.

In a note presented by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, empathy and pure joy" had been at the heart of the show's popularity, stating: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly fab-u-lous".

Following tradition, one of the dances in the grand finale was selected 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 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 standing ovation - and their second full marks of the night.

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

Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to grace the dance floor.

The couple delivered routines 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 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.

"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," commenting: "To the young people 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 returning for one more routine.

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

A spokesperson denied the claim, saying the show's audience vote was "externally monitored and verified to ensure total accuracy".

The boyband Five also performed a string of their hits during the grand final.

Tess and Claudia's Last Final

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

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

This was their last time presenting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with feeling as they said their goodbyes.

During the live broadcast, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were recorded notes from TV cook Mary Berry, members of the production team and fans 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 conquered and the happiness shared in undertaking a shared challenge.

"Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the most significant 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 appearance will be the Christmas special, which airs on 25 December.