Strictly Come Dancing Winners Crowned in Spectacular Live Finale

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

Former England footballer Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly winner, emerging as the first footballer to lift the coveted trophy.

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

Carney, who was paired with professional dancer Carlos Gu, stated: "It's unbelievable, it's been the biggest honour," before adding she was "lost for words".

It was an emotional night in the studio, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the last time - with Queen Camilla among those paying tribute to the veteran hosts.

In a note presented by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, compassion and pure 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 wonderful".

As usual, one of the dances in the final show was chosen by the judges, one was their own favourite dance from the competition, and the other was a freestyle routine.

The judges gave advisory scores but the viewing audience made the final decision.

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, garnering them a rapturous reception - and their second full marks of the night.

But the victorious pair faced fierce competition from the other remaining 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 Paso Doble to 'Dream On' by Aerosmith, and a jive to 'Proud Mary'.

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

"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," commenting: "To the young people watching at home, dream big and be confident and never give up."

Other memorable moments on the night included the majority of the contestants of 2025 returning for one more performance.

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

A spokesperson denied the claim, saying the show's public vote was "externally monitored and verified to ensure total accuracy".

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

Tess and Claudia's Final Show

Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the shock revelation 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 fronted Strictly's companion program It Takes Two since 2004.

This was their final time hosting a Strictly final, and both were full of emotion as they signed off.

During the televised event, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were recorded notes from TV cook Mary Berry, members of the production team and fans of the show.

The Queen's message said: "I have often thought that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about friendships: the bonds created, the struggles conquered and the joy experienced in undertaking a shared endeavour.

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

"The kindness, 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 holiday episode, which airs on 25 December.