Strictly Winners Announced in Glitzy Grand Finale

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

Ex- Lioness Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly winner, becoming the first footballer to lift the glitterball trophy.

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

Carney, who was paired with professional dancer Carlos Gu, remarked: "I can't believe it, it's been the biggest honour," before saying she was "speechless".

It was an heartfelt night in the studio, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the final occasion - with the Queen among those paying tribute to the long-running hosts.

In a message presented by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, empathy and sheer 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 selected by the judges, one was their own favourite dance from the competition, and the other was a show dance.

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

Carney and Gu executed routines including a show dance 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, garnering them a standing ovation - and their second perfect score of the night.

But the winning duo faced fierce rivalry from the other remaining couples.

Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to grace the dance floor.

The pair performed routines including a freestyle to 'Rain On Me' by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, a Paso Doble to 'Dream On' by Aerosmith, and a upbeat dance to 'Proud Mary'.

In another performance, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr performed again their dramatic dance to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle.

They also did their show dance to 'Human' by The Killers, and a classical waltz to 'Somebody to Love' by Queen.

But after weeks of tangos, it was Carney and Gu's night as they won the public vote.

"My sincere thanks go to everybody that has backed our experience, and supported us," said Carney.

Gu told her she had "been transformative," commenting: "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 performance.

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

A representative denied the allegation, saying the show's public vote was "independently overseen and checked to ensure total fairness".

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

The Hosts' Last Show

Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the shock announcement that they would be stepping down at the end of this year's series.

Daly has hosted since the first series 21 years ago. Winkleman joined 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 full of emotion 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 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 friendships: the bonds forged, the struggles overcome and the joy shared in undertaking a joint endeavour.

"Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the greatest 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 final show will be the holiday episode, which is broadcast on 25 December.