Strictly Champions Crowned in Spectacular Grand Final
This article reveals the conclusion of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing final.
Former England footballer Karen Carney has been named this year's Strictly Come Dancing champion, becoming the first footballer to win the coveted trophy.
She overcame reality TV star Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after securing the public vote in Saturday's live final.
Carney, who was dancing 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 heartfelt 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 veteran hosts.
In a message presented by panelist 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, adding: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly brilliant".
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 show dance.
The judges gave advisory scores but the public made the final decision.
Carney and Gu performed 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 sports-inspired jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, garnering them a standing ovation - and their second full marks of the night.
But the winning duo faced strong rivalry from the other competing couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to take to the stage.
The pair delivered dances 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 jive 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 tangos, it was Carney and Gu's night as they won the public vote.
"My sincere thanks go to everybody that has supported our experience, and supported us," said Carney.
Gu told her she had "changed my life," adding: "To the girls and boys watching at home, aim high and be proud and never give up."
Other memorable moments on the night included most of the cast of 2025 coming back for one more performance.
Yet, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had claimed earlier that the elimination process that saw him leave the show was unfair.
A representative rejected the claim, saying the show's public vote was "independently overseen and verified to ensure total accuracy".
The boyband Five also performed a string of their hits during the grand final.
Tess and Claudia's Final Show
Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the shock announcement that they would be stepping down at the end of this year's season.
Daly has presented since the inaugural series 21 years ago. Winkleman joined in 2014, having hosted Strictly's sister show It Takes Two since 2004.
This was their final time hosting a Strictly final, and both were full of emotion as they said their goodbyes.
During the live broadcast, as well as the message from the Queen, there were messages 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 friendships: the bonds forged, the struggles overcome and the joy shared in undertaking a shared challenge.
"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly pairing of all.
"The warmth, care and pure happiness you have radiated with and from each other has been at the centre of the show's success."
Daly and Winkleman's final show will be the holiday episode, which airs on 25 December.