Strictly Come Dancing Champions Announced in Spectacular Live Finale

This report details the result of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing culminating event.

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

She defeated Love Islander Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after securing the viewers' vote in Saturday's live final.

Carney, who was dancing with professional dancer Carlos Gu, remarked: "I can't believe it, it's been the biggest privilege," before adding she was "overwhelmed".

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

In a note read out by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, compassion and pure joy" had been at the heart of the show's popularity, stating: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly fab-u-lous".

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 executed routines including a show dance 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 pair faced stiff competition from the other competing couples.

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

The pair delivered routines including a freestyle 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'.

In another performance, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr reprised 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 salsas and foxtrots, it was Carney and Gu's night as they topped the viewer poll.

"I just want to say thank you to everybody that has supported our journey, and supported us," said Carney.

Gu told her she had "been transformative," adding: "To the girls and boys watching at home, aim high and be confident and never give up."

Other memorable moments on the night included most of the contestants of 2025 returning for one more routine.

However, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had alleged earlier that the vote that saw him leave the show was rigged.

A spokesperson rejected the allegation, saying the show's public vote was "independently overseen and checked to ensure complete accuracy".

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

Tess and Claudia's Final Show

Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise revelation 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 came on board in 2014, having hosted Strictly's sister show It Takes Two since 2004.

This was their final time presenting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with emotion 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 crew and fans 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 bonds forged, the struggles overcome and the happiness shared in undertaking a joint endeavour.

"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly partnership of all.

"The warmth, care and sheer happiness you have radiated with and from each other has been at the centre of the show's success."

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