Strictly Come Dancing Champions Crowned in Glitzy Live Finale

This piece covers the result of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing championship.

Former England footballer Karen Carney has been named this year's Strictly Come Dancing winner, becoming the first footballer to lift the glitterball trophy.

She defeated reality TV star Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after securing the public vote in Saturday's grand finale.

Carney, who was paired with professional dancer Carlos Gu, stated: "I can't believe it, it's been the biggest honour," before adding she was "lost for words".

It was an heartfelt night in the studio, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the last time - with the Queen among those paying tribute to the veteran hosts.

In a message read out by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, compassion and pure joy" had been at the core of the show's popularity, adding: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly fab-u-lous".

Following tradition, one of the dances in the grand finale was selected by the judges, one was their own favourite dance from the competition, and the other was a freestyle routine.

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

Carney and Gu performed 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, earning them a rapturous reception - and their second full marks of the night.

But the winning duo faced fierce competition from the other remaining couples.

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

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

Meanwhile, 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 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 backed our journey, and supported us," said Carney.

Gu told her she had "been transformative," commenting: "To the young people watching at home, aim high and be confident and never give up."

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

Yet, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had claimed earlier that the elimination process that saw him exit the show was rigged.

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

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

Tess and Claudia's 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 sister show It Takes Two since 2004.

This was their final time presenting a Strictly final, and both were full of feeling as they signed off.

During the televised event, as well as the message from the Queen, there were messages from celebrity chef Mary Berry, members of the crew and fans of the show.

The Queen's message read: "I have often thought that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about friendships: the connections created, the challenges conquered and the joy shared in undertaking a shared challenge.

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

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

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