Strictly Winners Crowned in Spectacular Grand Final
This article reveals the result of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 championship.
Former Lioness Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly winner, becoming the first professional soccer player to lift the glitterball trophy.
She overcame Love Islander Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after securing the public vote in Saturday's grand finale.
Carney, who was paired with professional dancer Carlos Gu, said: "This is incredible, it's been the greatest privilege," before saying she was "lost for words".
It was an emotional night in the ballroom, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the last time - with Queen Camilla among those offering praise to the long-running hosts.
In a message read out by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, compassion and sheer happiness" had been at the core of the show's success, adding: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly brilliant".
As usual, one of the dances in the final show was selected by the judges, one was their own preferred dance from the series, and the other was a show dance.
The judges gave guidance scores but the viewing audience made the ultimate choice.
Carney and Gu executed dances including a show dance to 'Inner Smile' by Texas, and an 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 winning pair faced stiff competition from the other competing couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to take to 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'.
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 ballroom dances, it was Carney and Gu's night as they topped the public vote.
"My sincere thanks go to everybody that has supported our journey, and supported us," said Carney.
Gu told her she had "been transformative," adding: "To the young people watching at home, aim high and be proud and never give up."
Other highlights on the night included most of the cast of 2025 returning for one more performance.
Yet, online figure Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had claimed earlier that the vote that saw him exit the show was rigged.
A spokesperson rejected the allegation, saying the show's audience vote was "externally monitored and verified to ensure complete fairness".
The boyband Five also performed a selection of their popular songs during the grand final.
The Hosts' Final Final
In October, Daly and Winkleman made the shock revelation that they would be leaving their roles at the end of this year's series.
Daly has presented 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 hosting a Strictly final, and both were full of emotion as they said their goodbyes.
During the live broadcast, as well as the message from the Queen, there were recorded notes from celebrity chef Mary Berry, members of the crew and fans 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 joint endeavour.
"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly partnership of all.
"The kindness, compassion and sheer happiness you have projected with and from each other has been at the centre of the show's success."
Daly and Winkleman's final appearance will be the Christmas special, which airs on 25 December.