Strictly Come Dancing Winners Announced in Glitzy Live Final

This piece covers the conclusion of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing final.

Ex- Lioness Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly winner, emerging as the first footballer to claim the glitterball trophy.

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

Carney, who was paired with professional dancer Carlos Gu, remarked: "It's unbelievable, it's been the greatest privilege," before saying she was "lost for words".

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

In a message read out by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, compassion and sheer joy" had been at the heart of the show's popularity, adding: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly brilliant".

As usual, one of the dances in the grand finale 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 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 standing ovation - and their second perfect score of the night.

But the victorious duo faced strong rivalry from the other remaining couples.

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

The couple 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 jive to 'Proud Mary'.

In another performance, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr performed again their dramatic dance 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 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 proud and never give up."

Other highlights on the night included most of the cast of 2025 returning for one more routine.

However, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not appear. 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 "independently overseen and checked to ensure complete accuracy".

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

The Hosts' Last Show

Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise announcement 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 fronted Strictly's companion program It Takes Two since 2004.

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

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 connections created, the struggles overcome and the joy experienced in undertaking a joint challenge.

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

"The kindness, compassion and sheer happiness you have radiated with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's appeal."

Daly and Winkleman's final appearance will be the holiday episode, which airs on 25 December.