Strictly Come Dancing Champions Crowned in Glitzy Grand Finale

This article reveals the conclusion of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing culminating event.

Former England footballer Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly Come Dancing winner, becoming the first professional soccer player to win the coveted trophy.

She beat reality TV star Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after winning the public vote in Saturday's grand finale.

Carney, who was dancing with professional dancer Carlos Gu, stated: "This is incredible, it's been the greatest privilege," before saying she was "speechless".

It was an poignant night in the ballroom, as hosts 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 "warmth, empathy and sheer happiness" had been at the heart of the show's success, 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 selected by the judges, one was their own preferred dance from the series, and the other was a show dance.

The judges gave advisory scores but the public made the ultimate choice.

Carney and Gu executed dances including a freestyle 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, earning them a rapturous reception - and their second perfect score of the night.

But the winning pair faced stiff rivalry from the other competing couples.

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

The pair delivered 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 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.

"My sincere thanks go to everybody that has supported our experience, 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 confident and never give up."

Other memorable moments on the night included most of the contestants of 2025 coming back for one more performance.

However, online figure Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had claimed earlier that the vote that saw him exit the show was rigged.

A representative rejected the claim, saying the show's public vote was "externally monitored and checked to ensure total accuracy".

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

Tess and Claudia's Last Show

In October, Daly and Winkleman made the shock announcement that they would be leaving their roles at the end of this year's season.

Daly has hosted since the first series 21 years ago. Winkleman came on board 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 signed off.

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 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 bonds created, the struggles overcome and the happiness experienced in undertaking a joint challenge.

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

"The warmth, compassion 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 final show will be the Christmas special, which is broadcast on 25 December.