Strictly Come Dancing Winners Crowned in Glitzy Live Final
This article reveals the result of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 championship.
Ex- Lioness Karen Carney has been named this year's Strictly Come Dancing champion, becoming the first footballer to claim the coveted trophy.
She beat reality TV star Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after winning the public vote in Saturday's live final.
Carney, who was paired with professional dancer Carlos Gu, stated: "I can't believe it, it's been the biggest privilege," before saying she was "speechless".
It was an heartfelt night in the ballroom, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the last time - with the Queen among those paying tribute to the long-running hosts.
In a note presented by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, empathy and pure happiness" had been at the heart of the show's success, adding: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly fab-u-lous".
Following tradition, one of the dances in the final show was selected 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 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, earning them a standing ovation - and their second perfect score of the night.
But the victorious pair faced fierce competition from the other remaining couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to grace the dance floor.
The couple performed routines including a show dance 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 performed again 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.
"I just want to say thank you to everybody that has backed our journey, and supported us," said Carney.
Gu told her she had "changed my life," adding: "To the young people watching at home, aim high and be proud and never give up."
Other memorable moments on the night included most of the contestants of 2025 returning for one more performance.
Yet, online figure Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had alleged earlier that the elimination process that saw him exit the show was unfair.
A representative rejected the allegation, saying the show's public vote was "externally monitored and checked to ensure complete fairness".
The boyband Five also performed a selection of their hits during the finale.
Tess and Claudia's Last Show
In October, Daly and Winkleman made the shock revelation that they would be stepping down at the end of this year's series.
Daly has hosted 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 last time hosting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with emotion as they said their goodbyes.
During the live broadcast, as well as the message from the Queen, there were messages from TV cook Mary Berry, members of the crew 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 bonds created, the challenges overcome and the happiness shared in undertaking a joint challenge.
"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly pairing of all.
"The warmth, care and pure happiness you have projected with and from each other has been at the centre of the show's appeal."
Daly and Winkleman's final show will be the Christmas special, which is broadcast on 25 December.
