Strictly Come Dancing Winners Crowned in Glitzy Live Final

This piece covers the outcome of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 culminating event.

Former Lioness Karen Carney has been named this year's Strictly Come Dancing winner, emerging as the first professional soccer player to win the glitterball trophy.

She beat Love Islander Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after winning the audience 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 adding she was "overwhelmed".

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

In a note read out by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, empathy and sheer happiness" had been at the heart of the show's popularity, adding: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly wonderful".

As usual, one of the dances in the grand finale was chosen 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 executed 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 perfect score of the night.

But the winning duo faced strong rivalry from the other remaining couples.

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

The pair delivered dances including a freestyle to 'Rain On Me' by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, a Paso Doble to 'Dream On' by Aerosmith, and a jive to 'Proud Mary'.

In another performance, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr reprised 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 won 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 "been transformative," commenting: "To the young people watching at home, dream big and be proud and never give up."

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

However, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had alleged earlier that the vote that saw him exit the show was unfair.

A spokesperson denied the claim, saying the show's public vote was "externally monitored and checked to ensure complete fairness".

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

Tess and Claudia's Final 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 inaugural series 21 years ago. Winkleman joined in 2014, having hosted Strictly's companion program It Takes Two since 2004.

This was their final time hosting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with emotion as they signed off.

During the live broadcast, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were messages from TV cook 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 friendships: the bonds created, the challenges conquered and the joy experienced in undertaking a joint challenge.

"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly partnership of all.

"The warmth, care and sheer joy you have radiated with and from each other has been at the centre of the show's appeal."

Daly and Winkleman's final appearance will be the holiday episode, which is broadcast on 25 December.