Strictly Come Dancing Winners Crowned in Spectacular Live Finale

This article reveals the conclusion of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing culminating event.

Former Lioness Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly champion, becoming the first footballer to claim the coveted trophy.

She overcame reality TV star Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after winning the viewers' vote in Saturday's grand finale.

Carney, who was paired with pro partner Carlos Gu, said: "This is incredible, it's been the greatest privilege," before adding she was "overwhelmed".

It was an poignant night in the ballroom, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the final occasion - with the Queen 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, empathy and sheer happiness" had been at the heart of the show's popularity, 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 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 routines 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 standing ovation - and their second perfect score of the night.

But the victorious pair faced stiff rivalry from the other competing couples.

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

The couple 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 jive to 'Proud Mary'.

In another performance, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr revisited their Paso Doble to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle.

They also did their show dance to 'Human' by The Killers, and a Viennese Waltz to 'Somebody to Love' by Queen.

But after weeks of tangos, 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 "been transformative," adding: "To the young people watching at home, dream big and be confident and never give up."

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

Yet, online figure Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had alleged earlier that the vote that saw him exit the show was rigged.

A spokesperson rejected the claim, saying the show's public vote was "externally monitored and checked to ensure total accuracy".

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

The Hosts' Last Final

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

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 final time presenting a Strictly final, and both were full of 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: "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 happiness shared in undertaking a shared challenge.

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

"The warmth, compassion 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 final show will be the Christmas special, which airs on 25 December.