Strictly Winners Announced in Glitzy Live Finale
This article reveals the result of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing final.
Ex- Lioness Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly winner, emerging as 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 audience vote in Saturday's grand finale.
Carney, who was paired with pro partner Carlos Gu, stated: "I can't believe it, it's been the biggest honour," before adding 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 offering praise to the long-running hosts.
In a note presented by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, compassion and sheer joy" had been at the heart of the show's success, adding: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly wonderful".
As usual, one of the dances in the final show was selected by the judges, one was their own preferred dance from the series, and the other was a freestyle routine.
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 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 perfect score of the night.
But the victorious duo faced fierce rivalry from the other remaining couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to take to the stage.
The couple performed 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'.
In another performance, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr reprised their Paso Doble 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 salsas and foxtrots, it was Carney and Gu's night as they topped the viewer poll.
"My sincere thanks go to everybody that has supported our experience, and supported us," said Carney.
Gu told her she had "changed my life," commenting: "To the girls and boys watching at home, aim high and be proud and never give up."
Other highlights on the night included the majority of the contestants of 2025 coming back for one more routine.
Yet, online figure Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had claimed earlier that the elimination process that saw him exit the show was unfair.
A representative rejected the allegation, saying the show's audience vote was "externally monitored and verified to ensure complete accuracy".
The group Five also performed a string of their popular songs during the grand final.
The Hosts' Final Final
Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the shock revelation that they would be stepping down at the end of this year's season.
Daly has hosted since the first series 21 years ago. Winkleman joined in 2014, having fronted Strictly's companion program It Takes Two since 2004.
This was their final time presenting a Strictly final, and both were full of feeling 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 crew and devotees 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 conquered and the joy shared in undertaking a shared challenge.
"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly pairing of all.
"The warmth, care and sheer joy you have radiated with and from each other has been at the centre of the show's success."
Daly and Winkleman's last ever show will be the Christmas special, which is broadcast on 25 December.
