Strictly Come Dancing Champions Crowned in Spectacular Grand Finale
This article reveals the conclusion of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing championship.
Former Lioness Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly champion, becoming the first footballer to win the coveted trophy.
She beat Love Islander Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after securing the audience vote in Saturday's grand finale.
Carney, who was paired with pro partner Carlos Gu, remarked: "It's unbelievable, it's been the greatest privilege," before saying she was "speechless".
It was an emotional night in the ballroom, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the last time - with the Queen among those paying tribute to the long-running hosts.
In a message presented by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, 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 brilliant".
Following tradition, one of the dances in the final show was chosen by the judges, one was their own favourite dance from the series, and the other was a show dance.
The judges gave guidance 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 rapturous reception - and their second full marks of the night.
But the victorious pair faced fierce rivalry from the other competing couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to grace the stage.
The pair performed dances 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 jive to 'Proud Mary'.
Meanwhile, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr revisited 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 viewer poll.
"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," adding: "To the young people watching at home, aim high and be proud and never give up."
Other memorable moments on the night included most of the contestants of 2025 returning for one more routine.
Yet, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had alleged earlier that the vote that saw him exit the show was rigged.
A spokesperson rejected the allegation, saying the show's audience vote was "independently overseen and checked to ensure complete fairness".
The group Five also performed a selection of their popular songs during the grand final.
Tess and Claudia's Final Show
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 first series 21 years ago. Winkleman came on board in 2014, having hosted Strictly's sister show It Takes Two since 2004.
This was their final time presenting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with feeling as they said their goodbyes.
During the live broadcast, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were recorded notes from TV cook 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 relationships: the bonds created, the struggles conquered and the joy shared in undertaking a shared challenge.
"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly partnership 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 success."
Daly and Winkleman's last ever show will be the Christmas special, which is broadcast on 25 December.
