Strictly Winners Crowned in Spectacular Grand Final

This report details the conclusion of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 culminating event.

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

She overcame reality TV star Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after securing the audience vote in Saturday's grand finale.

Carney, who was dancing with professional dancer Carlos Gu, said: "I can't believe it, it's been the greatest privilege," before adding she was "overwhelmed".

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

In a note presented by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, empathy and pure joy" 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".

Following tradition, one of the dances in the grand finale was selected 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 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 rapturous reception - and their second full marks of the night.

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

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

The couple performed routines including a freestyle to 'Rain On Me' by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, a Paso Doble to 'Dream On' by Aerosmith, and a jive to 'Proud Mary'.

In another performance, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr revisited their dramatic dance 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 salsas and foxtrots, it was Carney and Gu's night as they won the viewer poll.

"I just want to say thank you to everybody that has supported our journey, and supported us," said Carney.

Gu told her she had "been transformative," 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 returning for one more routine.

Yet, online figure Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had claimed 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 "independently overseen and verified to ensure total accuracy".

The boyband Five also performed a selection of their hits 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 series.

Daly has presented since the inaugural series 21 years ago. Winkleman came on board in 2014, having fronted Strictly's sister show It Takes Two since 2004.

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

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 said: "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 joy shared in undertaking a joint endeavour.

"Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly pairing 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 final appearance will be the Christmas special, which is broadcast on 25 December.