Strictly Winners Announced in Glitzy Live Finale
This report details the outcome of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing championship.
Former Lioness Karen Carney has been named this year's Strictly winner, emerging as the first footballer to claim the coveted trophy.
She defeated reality TV star Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after securing the public vote in Saturday's live final.
Carney, who was paired with professional dancer Carlos Gu, said: "I can't believe it, it's been the greatest honour," before adding she was "lost for words".
It was an heartfelt 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 message read out by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, compassion and sheer happiness" had been at the core of the show's success, 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 selected by the judges, one was their own favourite dance from the series, and the other was a freestyle routine.
The judges gave guidance scores but the public made the final decision.
Carney and Gu performed dances 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 football-themed jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, earning them a standing ovation - and their second full marks of the night.
But the victorious duo faced stiff competition from the other remaining couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to take to 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 dramatic dance to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle.
They also did their freestyle routine 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 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 "changed my life," adding: "To the girls and boys watching at home, dream big and be proud and never give up."
Other memorable moments on the night included most of the contestants of 2025 coming back for one more performance.
Yet, online figure Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had claimed earlier that the elimination process that saw him leave the show was unfair.
A representative rejected the allegation, saying the show's audience vote was "externally monitored and checked to ensure complete fairness".
The boyband Five also performed a string of their hits during the grand final.
The Hosts' Last Final
In October, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise announcement that they would be leaving their roles at the end of this year's series.
Daly has hosted 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 last time hosting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with emotion as they signed off.
During the live broadcast, as well as the tribute 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 bonds forged, the challenges overcome and the happiness experienced in undertaking a joint challenge.
"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly partnership of all.
"The warmth, care and sheer happiness you have projected with and from each other has been at the centre of the show's appeal."
Daly and Winkleman's last ever appearance will be the Christmas special, which airs on 25 December.
