🔗 Share this article Strictly Champions Announced in Glitzy Grand Final This report details the outcome of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 culminating event. Watch: Scene Strictly Come Dancing 2025 winners are crowned Ex- Lioness Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly champion, emerging as the first footballer to claim the glitterball trophy. She defeated reality TV star Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after securing the audience vote in Saturday's grand finale. Carney, who was dancing with pro partner Carlos Gu, stated: "I can't believe it, it's been the greatest honour," before saying she was "lost for words". It was an heartfelt night in the studio, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the final occasion - with Queen Camilla among those offering praise to the veteran hosts. Hosts Tess and Claudia say goodbye to Strictly Come Dancing In a note read out by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, compassion and pure happiness" had been at the heart of the show's success, adding: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly brilliant". Karen Carney and Carlos Gu with the championship trophy - their soccer-inspired jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie earned them a standing ovation. As usual, one of the dances in the grand finale was selected by the judges, one was their own favourite dance from the series, and the other was a freestyle routine. The judges gave guidance scores but the public made the final decision. Carney and Gu executed 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 sports-inspired jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, garnering them a standing ovation - and their second full marks of the night. Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin were the opening couple to step onto the dance floor in the final. But the winning duo faced stiff rivalry from the other competing couples. Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to grace the stage. 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 reprised their dramatic dance 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 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." Social media star George Clarke and Alexis Warr opted to revisit their signature dance from the series, a Paso Doble to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle. Other memorable moments on the night included most of the contestants of 2025 returning for one more routine. Yet, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had alleged earlier that the elimination process that saw him exit the show was unfair. A representative rejected the allegation, saying the show's public vote was "independently overseen and checked to ensure complete accuracy". The group Five also performed a string of their hits during the grand final. Tess and Claudia's Final Final An image from the emotional final presentation by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the shock announcement 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 fronted Strictly's sister show It Takes Two since 2004. This was their last 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 fans 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 created, the challenges overcome and the happiness shared in undertaking a joint challenge. "Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly pairing of all. "The kindness, 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 culminating event. Watch: Scene Strictly Come Dancing 2025 winners are crowned Ex- Lioness Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly champion, emerging as the first footballer to claim the glitterball trophy. She defeated reality TV star Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after securing the audience vote in Saturday's grand finale. Carney, who was dancing with pro partner Carlos Gu, stated: "I can't believe it, it's been the greatest honour," before saying she was "lost for words". It was an heartfelt night in the studio, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the final occasion - with Queen Camilla among those offering praise to the veteran hosts. Hosts Tess and Claudia say goodbye to Strictly Come Dancing In a note read out by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, compassion and pure happiness" had been at the heart of the show's success, adding: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly brilliant". Karen Carney and Carlos Gu with the championship trophy - their soccer-inspired jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie earned them a standing ovation. As usual, one of the dances in the grand finale was selected by the judges, one was their own favourite dance from the series, and the other was a freestyle routine. The judges gave guidance scores but the public made the final decision. Carney and Gu executed 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 sports-inspired jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, garnering them a standing ovation - and their second full marks of the night. Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin were the opening couple to step onto the dance floor in the final. But the winning duo faced stiff rivalry from the other competing couples. Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to grace the stage. 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 reprised their dramatic dance 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 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." Social media star George Clarke and Alexis Warr opted to revisit their signature dance from the series, a Paso Doble to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle. Other memorable moments on the night included most of the contestants of 2025 returning for one more routine. Yet, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had alleged earlier that the elimination process that saw him exit the show was unfair. A representative rejected the allegation, saying the show's public vote was "independently overseen and checked to ensure complete accuracy". The group Five also performed a string of their hits during the grand final. Tess and Claudia's Final Final An image from the emotional final presentation by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the shock announcement 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 fronted Strictly's sister show It Takes Two since 2004. This was their last 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 fans 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 created, the challenges overcome and the happiness shared in undertaking a joint challenge. "Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly pairing of all. "The kindness, 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.