Strictly Champions Announced in Spectacular Live Final

This report details the result of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 culminating event.

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

She defeated Love Islander Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after securing the audience vote in Saturday's live final.

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

It was an poignant night in the ballroom, 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 judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, compassion and pure happiness" had been at the core of the show's popularity, stating: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly brilliant".

As usual, 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 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 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, garnering them a standing ovation - and their second perfect score of the night.

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

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

The couple delivered dances including a show dance to 'Rain On Me' by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, a Spanish-inspired dance to 'Dream On' by Aerosmith, and a jive 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 salsas and foxtrots, it was Carney and Gu's night as they won the public vote.

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

Gu told her she had "been transformative," adding: "To the girls and boys watching at home, dream big and be confident and never give up."

Other memorable moments on the night included the majority of the cast of 2025 coming back for one more performance.

Yet, online figure Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had claimed earlier that the elimination process that saw him exit the show was rigged.

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

The boyband Five also performed a selection of their hits during the finale.

The Hosts' Final Show

Earlier this year, 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 came on board in 2014, having fronted Strictly's companion program It Takes Two since 2004.

This was their last time presenting a Strictly final, and both were full of feeling as they signed off.

During the live broadcast, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were recorded notes 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 bonds created, the challenges overcome and the joy shared in undertaking a shared endeavour.

"Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly pairing of all.

"The kindness, compassion and pure 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 holiday episode, which is broadcast on 25 December.