Strictly Come Dancing Champions Announced in Glitzy Live Finale

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

Former England footballer Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly Come Dancing champion, emerging as the first professional soccer player to win the glitterball trophy.

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

Carney, who was dancing with pro partner Carlos Gu, said: "I can't believe it, it's been the greatest honour," before adding she was "speechless".

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

In a note presented by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, empathy and sheer joy" had been at the core of the show's success, stating: "On behalf of all viewers 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 preferred dance from the series, and the other was a freestyle routine.

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 Argentine 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, garnering them a standing ovation - and their second perfect score of the night.

But the winning duo faced fierce rivalry from the other competing couples.

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

The pair delivered dances including a freestyle 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 performed again their dramatic dance 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 viewer poll.

"I just want to say thank you to everybody that has backed our experience, 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 most of the contestants of 2025 returning for one more performance.

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

A spokesperson denied the allegation, saying the show's audience vote was "independently overseen and verified to ensure complete fairness".

The boyband Five also performed a selection of their hits during the finale.

The Hosts' Final Show

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 hosted since the first series 21 years ago. Winkleman joined in 2014, having hosted Strictly's companion program It Takes Two since 2004.

This was their final time hosting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with feeling 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: "It has often seemed to me that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about friendships: the connections created, the struggles conquered and the happiness experienced in undertaking a shared challenge.

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

"The warmth, care and sheer joy you have radiated with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's appeal."

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