Strictly Winners Announced in Glitzy Live Final

This article reveals the result of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 final.

Former England footballer Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly champion, becoming the first footballer to lift the glitterball trophy.

She overcame Love Islander Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after securing the audience vote in Saturday's grand finale.

Carney, who was paired with professional dancer Carlos Gu, remarked: "It's unbelievable, it's been the biggest privilege," before adding she was "overwhelmed".

It was an emotional night in the studio, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the final occasion - with the Queen among those paying tribute to the long-running 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 success, stating: "I think I speak for everyone 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 preferred 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 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 sports-inspired jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, garnering them a standing ovation - and their second full marks of the night.

But the winning pair faced strong competition from the other competing couples.

Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to take to the stage.

The pair delivered 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 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 viewer poll.

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

Gu told her she had "changed my life," adding: "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 contestants of 2025 coming back for one more performance.

However, online figure Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had alleged earlier that the vote that saw him leave the show was rigged.

A representative denied the claim, saying the show's public vote was "externally monitored and verified to ensure complete accuracy".

The boyband Five also performed a string of their popular songs during the grand final.

The Hosts' Last Final

In October, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise revelation that they would be leaving their roles at the end of this year's series.

Daly has presented 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 last time presenting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with feeling as they said their goodbyes.

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 said: "It has often seemed to me that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about relationships: the bonds created, the struggles conquered and the joy experienced in undertaking a joint endeavour.

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

"The kindness, care and pure happiness you have projected with and from each other has been at the centre of the show's success."

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