Strictly Come Dancing Winners Crowned in Spectacular Live Final

This piece covers the conclusion of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 championship.

Former England footballer Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly Come Dancing winner, becoming the first footballer to win the glitterball trophy.

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

Carney, who was dancing with professional dancer Carlos Gu, said: "It's unbelievable, it's been the biggest privilege," before adding she was "speechless".

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

In a message read out by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, 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".

Following tradition, one of the dances in the final show was chosen 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 public made the ultimate choice.

Carney and Gu executed dances 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 victorious duo faced strong rivalry from the other remaining couples.

Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to take to the stage.

The couple delivered dances including a show dance 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 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.

"My sincere thanks go to everybody that has supported our journey, 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."

Other memorable moments on the night included most of the cast of 2025 coming back for one more performance.

However, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had alleged earlier that the elimination process that saw him exit the show was unfair.

A spokesperson rejected the allegation, saying the show's audience vote was "externally monitored and verified to ensure total fairness".

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

Tess and Claudia's Final Show

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 came on board in 2014, having fronted Strictly's companion program It Takes Two since 2004.

This was their final time hosting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with feeling as they signed off.

During the live broadcast, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were recorded notes from TV cook Mary Berry, members of the production team 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 connections forged, the struggles overcome and the joy experienced in undertaking a shared challenge.

"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly partnership of all.

"The warmth, compassion and sheer happiness you have projected with and from each other has been at the centre of the show's success."

Daly and Winkleman's last ever appearance will be the holiday episode, which airs on 25 December.