Strictly Winners Announced in Glitzy Live Finale

This article reveals the conclusion of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 culminating event.

Ex- Lioness Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly Come Dancing winner, emerging as the first footballer to claim the glitterball trophy.

She beat reality TV star Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after securing the public vote in Saturday's live final.

Carney, who was dancing with pro partner Carlos Gu, said: "I can't believe it, it's been the biggest honour," before adding she was "overwhelmed".

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 offering praise to the long-running hosts.

In a message read out by panelist 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, stating: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly wonderful".

As usual, one of the dances in the grand finale was chosen by the judges, one was their own preferred dance from the competition, and the other was a freestyle routine.

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

Carney and Gu performed dances 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 football-themed jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, garnering them a rapturous reception - and their second full marks of the night.

But the winning pair faced stiff competition from the other competing couples.

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

The pair delivered routines 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 show dance to 'Human' by The Killers, and a Viennese 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.

"I just want to say thank you to everybody that has backed 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 proud and never give up."

Other highlights on the night included the majority of the cast of 2025 returning for one more performance.

However, online figure Thomas Skinner did not attend. 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 audience vote was "externally monitored and verified to ensure complete fairness".

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

The Hosts' Final Final

In October, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise revelation that they would be stepping down at the end of this year's series.

Daly has presented since the inaugural series 21 years ago. Winkleman joined in 2014, having hosted Strictly's companion program It Takes Two since 2004.

This was their final time presenting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with emotion as they said their goodbyes.

During the live broadcast, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were messages from TV cook Mary Berry, members of the crew and fans of the show.

The Queen's message read: "It has often seemed to me that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about relationships: the bonds created, the struggles conquered and the happiness shared in undertaking a shared endeavour.

"Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly partnership of all.

"The warmth, compassion and pure joy 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 Christmas special, which is broadcast on 25 December.