Strictly Winners Announced in Spectacular Live Final

This report details the outcome of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 final.

Ex- England footballer Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly winner, becoming the first footballer to lift the glitterball trophy.

She beat Love Islander Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after winning the viewers' vote in Saturday's grand finale.

Carney, who was dancing with pro partner Carlos Gu, remarked: "This is incredible, it's been the greatest privilege," before saying 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 offering praise to the long-running hosts.

In a message presented by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, compassion and sheer happiness" had been at the heart of the show's success, stating: "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 competition, and the other was a freestyle routine.

The judges gave advisory scores but the public made the ultimate choice.

Carney and Gu performed dances 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 duo faced fierce rivalry from the other remaining couples.

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

The pair performed routines 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 upbeat dance to 'Proud Mary'.

Meanwhile, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr performed again 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 salsas and foxtrots, 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 "been transformative," adding: "To the girls and boys watching at home, aim high and be proud and never give up."

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

Yet, online figure Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had alleged earlier that the elimination process that saw him leave the show was unfair.

A spokesperson rejected the claim, saying the show's public vote was "independently overseen and verified to ensure complete fairness".

The group Five also performed a selection of their hits during the grand final.

The Hosts' Final Show

In October, Daly and Winkleman made the shock announcement that they would be leaving their roles at the end of this year's season.

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 final time presenting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with feeling as they signed off.

During the televised event, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were recorded notes from TV cook Mary Berry, members of the production team and devotees of the show.

The Queen's message read: "I have often thought that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about relationships: the connections forged, the struggles conquered and the joy experienced in undertaking a joint challenge.

"Should that be the case, 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 heart of the show's appeal."

Daly and Winkleman's last ever show will be the Christmas special, which is broadcast on 25 December.