Strictly Champions Announced in Glitzy Grand Final

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

Former England footballer Karen Carney has been named this year's Strictly champion, becoming the first footballer to lift the glitterball trophy.

She defeated reality TV star Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after winning the public vote in Saturday's grand finale.

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

It was an poignant night in the studio, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the final occasion - with the Queen among those offering praise to the veteran 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 heart of the show's popularity, stating: "On behalf of all viewers 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 favourite dance from the competition, and the other was a freestyle routine.

The judges gave advisory 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, earning them a standing ovation - and their second perfect score of the night.

But the victorious pair faced strong competition from the other remaining couples.

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

The couple performed routines including a show dance to 'Rain On Me' by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, a Spanish-inspired dance to 'Dream On' by Aerosmith, and a jive to 'Proud Mary'.

Meanwhile, 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 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 supported our journey, and supported us," said Carney.

Gu told her she had "changed my life," commenting: "To the young people watching at home, aim high 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, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had claimed earlier that the elimination process that saw him exit the show was rigged.

A representative denied the allegation, saying the show's audience vote was "externally monitored and verified to ensure complete accuracy".

The group Five also performed a selection of their hits during the grand final.

The Hosts' Last Show

In October, Daly and Winkleman made the shock announcement that they would be leaving their roles at the end of this year's season.

Daly has hosted 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 final time hosting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with feeling as they signed off.

During the live broadcast, as well as the message 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 said: "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 joy shared in undertaking a joint endeavour.

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

"The kindness, compassion 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 final appearance will be the holiday episode, which airs on 25 December.