🔗 Share this article Strictly Come Dancing Winners Announced in Glitzy Grand Final This piece covers the outcome of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 culminating event. Watch: Moment Strictly 2025 victors are declared Former Lioness Karen Carney has been named this year's Strictly Come Dancing champion, emerging as the first professional soccer player to claim the glitterball trophy. She overcame reality TV star Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after securing the public vote in Saturday's live final. Carney, who was dancing with professional dancer Carlos Gu, stated: "I can't believe it, it's been the greatest honour," before adding she was "overwhelmed". It was an emotional night in the ballroom, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the last time - with Queen Camilla among those paying tribute to the long-running hosts. Presenters Tess and Claudia say goodbye to Strictly Come Dancing In a message read out by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, compassion and sheer happiness" had been at the core of the show's success, stating: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly wonderful". Karen Carney and Carlos Gu with the glitterball trophy - their football-themed jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie earned them a rapturous applause. Following tradition, one of the dances in the final show was chosen by the judges, one was their own favourite dance from the competition, and the other was a show dance. The judges gave guidance scores but the viewing audience made the final decision. Carney and Gu performed 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 perfect score of the night. Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin were the first couple to take to the dance floor in the final. But the victorious duo faced strong competition from the other remaining couples. Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to grace the stage. The pair delivered 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 upbeat dance 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 show dance to 'Human' by The Killers, and a Viennese 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. "My sincere thanks go 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, aim high and be proud and never give up." Social media star George Clarke and Alexis Warr chose to repeat their favourite dance from the series, a powerful routine to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle. Other highlights on the night included the majority of the contestants of 2025 returning for one more routine. Yet, online figure Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had claimed earlier that the vote that saw him exit the show was unfair. A spokesperson rejected the claim, saying the show's audience vote was "externally monitored and verified to ensure total accuracy". The boyband Five also performed a selection of their popular songs during the finale. Tess and Claudia's Final Show A photo from the emotional final presentation by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise revelation that they would be stepping down at the end of this year's season. Daly has presented 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 last time hosting a Strictly final, and both were full of emotion as they said their goodbyes. During the live broadcast, as well as the message from the Queen, there were messages from celebrity chef 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 struggles conquered and the joy experienced in undertaking a joint challenge. "Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly pairing of all. "The kindness, compassion and pure 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 airs on 25 December.
This piece covers the outcome of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 culminating event. Watch: Moment Strictly 2025 victors are declared Former Lioness Karen Carney has been named this year's Strictly Come Dancing champion, emerging as the first professional soccer player to claim the glitterball trophy. She overcame reality TV star Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after securing the public vote in Saturday's live final. Carney, who was dancing with professional dancer Carlos Gu, stated: "I can't believe it, it's been the greatest honour," before adding she was "overwhelmed". It was an emotional night in the ballroom, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the last time - with Queen Camilla among those paying tribute to the long-running hosts. Presenters Tess and Claudia say goodbye to Strictly Come Dancing In a message read out by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, compassion and sheer happiness" had been at the core of the show's success, stating: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly wonderful". Karen Carney and Carlos Gu with the glitterball trophy - their football-themed jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie earned them a rapturous applause. Following tradition, one of the dances in the final show was chosen by the judges, one was their own favourite dance from the competition, and the other was a show dance. The judges gave guidance scores but the viewing audience made the final decision. Carney and Gu performed 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 perfect score of the night. Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin were the first couple to take to the dance floor in the final. But the victorious duo faced strong competition from the other remaining couples. Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to grace the stage. The pair delivered 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 upbeat dance 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 show dance to 'Human' by The Killers, and a Viennese 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. "My sincere thanks go 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, aim high and be proud and never give up." Social media star George Clarke and Alexis Warr chose to repeat their favourite dance from the series, a powerful routine to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle. Other highlights on the night included the majority of the contestants of 2025 returning for one more routine. Yet, online figure Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had claimed earlier that the vote that saw him exit the show was unfair. A spokesperson rejected the claim, saying the show's audience vote was "externally monitored and verified to ensure total accuracy". The boyband Five also performed a selection of their popular songs during the finale. Tess and Claudia's Final Show A photo from the emotional final presentation by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise revelation that they would be stepping down at the end of this year's season. Daly has presented 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 last time hosting a Strictly final, and both were full of emotion as they said their goodbyes. During the live broadcast, as well as the message from the Queen, there were messages from celebrity chef 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 struggles conquered and the joy experienced in undertaking a joint challenge. "Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly pairing of all. "The kindness, compassion and pure 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 airs on 25 December.