Strictly Winners Announced in Glitzy Grand Finale
This article reveals the result of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing final.
Former Lioness Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly Come Dancing winner, becoming the first footballer to lift the coveted trophy.
She beat 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, stated: "It's unbelievable, it's been the greatest honour," before adding she was "overwhelmed".
It was an heartfelt night in the studio, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the last time - with the Queen among those paying tribute to the veteran hosts.
In a message read out by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, compassion and pure joy" had been at the core of the show's popularity, adding: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly wonderful".
As usual, one of the dances in the grand finale 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 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 rapturous reception - and their second full marks of the night.
But the winning duo faced stiff rivalry from the other competing couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to grace the stage.
The pair 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 upbeat dance to 'Proud Mary'.
Meanwhile, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr performed again 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.
"My sincere thanks go 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 proud and never give up."
Other highlights on the night included the majority of the cast of 2025 returning for one more routine.
However, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had alleged earlier that the vote that saw him leave the show was unfair.
A representative rejected the claim, saying the show's public vote was "externally monitored and checked to ensure total fairness".
The boyband Five also performed a selection of their hits during the grand final.
Tess and Claudia's 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 inaugural series 21 years ago. Winkleman joined 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 overcome with feeling as they signed off.
During the televised event, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were recorded notes 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 relationships: the connections forged, the struggles overcome and the happiness shared in undertaking a shared endeavour.
"Should that be the case, 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 centre of the show's success."
Daly and Winkleman's last ever show will be the Christmas special, which is broadcast on 25 December.
