š Share this article Strictly Champions Crowned in Spectacular Grand Finale This report details the outcome of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 final. View: Moment Strictly Come Dancing 2025 victors are crowned Ex- Lioness Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly Come Dancing champion, emerging as the first footballer to claim the glitterball trophy. She overcame reality TV star Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after winning the audience vote in Saturday's live final. Carney, who was paired with pro partner Carlos Gu, remarked: "This is incredible, it's been the greatest honour," before adding she was "lost for words". It was an emotional night in the studio, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the last time - with the Queen among those offering praise to the long-running hosts. Hosts Tess and Claudia bid farewell to Strictly Come Dancing In a note presented by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, compassion and sheer 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". Karen Carney and Carlos Gu with the championship trophy - their soccer-inspired jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie earned them a rapturous applause. As usual, one of the dances in the final show was selected by the judges, one was their own favourite dance from the series, and the other was a show dance. The judges gave guidance scores but the viewing audience made the final decision. Carney and Gu performed routines 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 standing ovation - and their second perfect score of the night. Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin were the first couple to step onto the dance floor in the final. But the winning duo faced stiff competition from the other remaining couples. Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to take to the dance floor. The pair performed dances 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'. Meanwhile, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr revisited 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 experience, and supported us," said Carney. Gu told her she had "changed my life," commenting: "To the young people watching at home, dream big and be confident and never give up." Social media star George Clarke and Alexis Warr chose to revisit their favourite dance from the series, a powerful routine to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle. Other highlights on the night included the majority of the contestants of 2025 coming back for one more performance. Yet, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had claimed earlier that the vote that saw him exit the show was unfair. A spokesperson denied the claim, saying the show's audience vote was "independently overseen and verified to ensure complete accuracy". The group Five also performed a selection of their popular songs during the grand final. The Hosts' Final Final An image from the historic final presentation by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. In October, Daly and Winkleman made the shock announcement that they would be leaving their roles at the end of this year's series. Daly has presented since the first series 21 years ago. Winkleman joined in 2014, having fronted Strictly's sister show It Takes Two since 2004. This was their last time hosting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with feeling as they said their goodbyes. During the televised event, as well as the message 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: "I have often thought that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about relationships: the bonds forged, the challenges overcome and the joy shared in undertaking a joint endeavour. "Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly partnership of all. "The warmth, care and pure happiness 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.
This report details the outcome of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 final. View: Moment Strictly Come Dancing 2025 victors are crowned Ex- Lioness Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly Come Dancing champion, emerging as the first footballer to claim the glitterball trophy. She overcame reality TV star Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after winning the audience vote in Saturday's live final. Carney, who was paired with pro partner Carlos Gu, remarked: "This is incredible, it's been the greatest honour," before adding she was "lost for words". It was an emotional night in the studio, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the last time - with the Queen among those offering praise to the long-running hosts. Hosts Tess and Claudia bid farewell to Strictly Come Dancing In a note presented by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, compassion and sheer 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". Karen Carney and Carlos Gu with the championship trophy - their soccer-inspired jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie earned them a rapturous applause. As usual, one of the dances in the final show was selected by the judges, one was their own favourite dance from the series, and the other was a show dance. The judges gave guidance scores but the viewing audience made the final decision. Carney and Gu performed routines 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 standing ovation - and their second perfect score of the night. Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin were the first couple to step onto the dance floor in the final. But the winning duo faced stiff competition from the other remaining couples. Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to take to the dance floor. The pair performed dances 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'. Meanwhile, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr revisited 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 experience, and supported us," said Carney. Gu told her she had "changed my life," commenting: "To the young people watching at home, dream big and be confident and never give up." Social media star George Clarke and Alexis Warr chose to revisit their favourite dance from the series, a powerful routine to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle. Other highlights on the night included the majority of the contestants of 2025 coming back for one more performance. Yet, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had claimed earlier that the vote that saw him exit the show was unfair. A spokesperson denied the claim, saying the show's audience vote was "independently overseen and verified to ensure complete accuracy". The group Five also performed a selection of their popular songs during the grand final. The Hosts' Final Final An image from the historic final presentation by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. In October, Daly and Winkleman made the shock announcement that they would be leaving their roles at the end of this year's series. Daly has presented since the first series 21 years ago. Winkleman joined in 2014, having fronted Strictly's sister show It Takes Two since 2004. This was their last time hosting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with feeling as they said their goodbyes. During the televised event, as well as the message 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: "I have often thought that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about relationships: the bonds forged, the challenges overcome and the joy shared in undertaking a joint endeavour. "Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly partnership of all. "The warmth, care and pure happiness 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.