Strictly Winners Announced in Glitzy Grand Finale
This piece covers the result of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 culminating event.
Ex- Lioness Karen Carney has been named this year's Strictly Come Dancing winner, emerging as the first professional soccer player to lift the coveted trophy.
She overcame Love Islander Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after winning the viewers' vote in Saturday's live final.
Carney, who was dancing with pro partner Carlos Gu, remarked: "This is incredible, it's been the biggest honour," before saying she was "overwhelmed".
It was an heartfelt night in the ballroom, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the last time - with Queen Camilla among those paying tribute to the veteran hosts.
In a message read out by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, compassion and pure joy" had been at the core of the show's success, stating: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly brilliant".
As usual, one of the dances in the final show was chosen by the judges, one was their own favourite dance from the competition, and the other was a show dance.
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 Argentine 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 rapturous reception - and their second full marks of the night.
But the winning duo faced stiff rivalry from the other competing couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to take to the dance floor.
The pair delivered dances 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'.
In another performance, 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 ballroom dances, 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 "changed my life," commenting: "To the young people watching at home, aim high and be proud and never give up."
Other memorable moments on the night included most of the contestants of 2025 coming back for one more routine.
Yet, online figure Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had alleged earlier that the vote that saw him exit the show was rigged.
A representative rejected the claim, saying the show's public vote was "independently overseen and verified to ensure complete accuracy".
The group Five also performed a string of their hits during the finale.
Tess and Claudia's Final Final
In October, Daly and Winkleman made the shock announcement that they would be stepping down at the end of this year's series.
Daly has hosted since the inaugural series 21 years ago. Winkleman joined in 2014, having hosted Strictly's sister show It Takes Two since 2004.
This was their last time presenting 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 messages from TV cook Mary Berry, members of the production team and fans 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 friendships: the connections created, the struggles overcome and the happiness experienced in undertaking a joint endeavour.
"Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly pairing of all.
"The kindness, care and pure joy you have radiated with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's success."
Daly and Winkleman's last ever appearance will be the holiday episode, which is broadcast on 25 December.
