Strictly Come Dancing Champions Announced in Glitzy Live Final

This article reveals the conclusion of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 championship.

Ex- Lioness Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly champion, becoming the first footballer to win the glitterball trophy.

She overcame Love Islander Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after winning the public vote in Saturday's grand finale.

Carney, who was dancing with pro partner Carlos Gu, stated: "It's unbelievable, it's been the biggest privilege," before adding she was "overwhelmed".

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

In a note presented by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, compassion and pure joy" had been at the core of the show's popularity, adding: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly wonderful".

As usual, 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 guidance scores but the public made the ultimate choice.

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 sports-inspired jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, garnering them a standing ovation - and their second perfect score of the night.

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

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

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

Meanwhile, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr performed again their dramatic dance to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle.

They also did their freestyle routine 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 topped the viewer poll.

"My sincere thanks go to everybody that has supported our journey, and supported us," said Carney.

Gu told her she had "been transformative," adding: "To the young people watching at home, aim high and be proud and never give up."

Other highlights on the night included most of the cast of 2025 coming back for one more routine.

However, online figure Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had alleged earlier that the vote that saw him exit the show was rigged.

A representative rejected the claim, saying the show's audience vote was "externally monitored and checked to ensure total accuracy".

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

The Hosts' Final Show

In October, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise 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 presenting a Strictly final, and both were full of feeling as they signed off.

During the televised event, 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: "I have often thought that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about friendships: the connections created, the challenges conquered and the happiness experienced in undertaking a shared challenge.

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

"The warmth, care and pure happiness you have projected with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's appeal."

Daly and Winkleman's last ever appearance will be the Christmas special, which is broadcast on 25 December.