🔗 Share this article Strictly Come Dancing Champions Announced in Glitzy Grand Finale This report details the conclusion of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing culminating event. Watch: Scene Strictly 2025 victors are crowned Former England footballer Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly Come Dancing winner, becoming the first professional soccer player to win the coveted trophy. She defeated reality TV star Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after securing the viewers' vote in Saturday's live final. Carney, who was dancing with professional dancer Carlos Gu, said: "It's unbelievable, it's been the greatest privilege," before adding she was "lost for words". It was an poignant night in the ballroom, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the last time - with Queen Camilla among those offering praise to the veteran hosts. Presenters Tess and Claudia bid farewell to Strictly Come Dancing In a note read out by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, empathy and pure happiness" had been at the heart of the show's success, stating: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly fab-u-lous". Karen Carney and Carlos Gu with the glitterball trophy - their football-themed jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie earned them a rapturous applause. Following tradition, one of the dances in the grand finale was chosen by the judges, one was their own preferred dance from the competition, and the other was a show dance. 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 rapturous reception - and their second full marks of the night. Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin were the opening couple to take to the stage in the final. But the winning duo faced fierce rivalry from the other remaining couples. Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to grace the dance floor. 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 upbeat dance to 'Proud Mary'. Meanwhile, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr performed again their Paso Doble 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 tangos, 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 "changed my life," adding: "To the girls and boys watching at home, aim high and be proud and never give up." Influencer George Clarke and Alexis Warr chose to revisit their favourite dance from the series, a powerful routine to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle. Other memorable moments on the night included the majority of the cast of 2025 returning for one more performance. Yet, online figure Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had alleged earlier that the vote that saw him leave the show was unfair. A spokesperson denied the claim, saying the show's public vote was "externally monitored and checked to ensure total fairness". The group Five also performed a selection of their hits during the grand final. Tess and Claudia's Last Final A photo from the historic final hosting by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. 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 hosted 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 last time presenting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with feeling as they said their goodbyes. During the live broadcast, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were messages from celebrity chef 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 relationships: the bonds created, the challenges overcome and the happiness experienced in undertaking a joint challenge. "Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly partnership of all. "The kindness, compassion and sheer happiness you have radiated with and from each other has been at the centre of the show's success." Daly and Winkleman's final appearance will be the Christmas special, which is broadcast on 25 December.
This report details the conclusion of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing culminating event. Watch: Scene Strictly 2025 victors are crowned Former England footballer Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly Come Dancing winner, becoming the first professional soccer player to win the coveted trophy. She defeated reality TV star Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after securing the viewers' vote in Saturday's live final. Carney, who was dancing with professional dancer Carlos Gu, said: "It's unbelievable, it's been the greatest privilege," before adding she was "lost for words". It was an poignant night in the ballroom, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the last time - with Queen Camilla among those offering praise to the veteran hosts. Presenters Tess and Claudia bid farewell to Strictly Come Dancing In a note read out by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, empathy and pure happiness" had been at the heart of the show's success, stating: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly fab-u-lous". Karen Carney and Carlos Gu with the glitterball trophy - their football-themed jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie earned them a rapturous applause. Following tradition, one of the dances in the grand finale was chosen by the judges, one was their own preferred dance from the competition, and the other was a show dance. 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 rapturous reception - and their second full marks of the night. Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin were the opening couple to take to the stage in the final. But the winning duo faced fierce rivalry from the other remaining couples. Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to grace the dance floor. 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 upbeat dance to 'Proud Mary'. Meanwhile, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr performed again their Paso Doble 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 tangos, 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 "changed my life," adding: "To the girls and boys watching at home, aim high and be proud and never give up." Influencer George Clarke and Alexis Warr chose to revisit their favourite dance from the series, a powerful routine to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle. Other memorable moments on the night included the majority of the cast of 2025 returning for one more performance. Yet, online figure Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had alleged earlier that the vote that saw him leave the show was unfair. A spokesperson denied the claim, saying the show's public vote was "externally monitored and checked to ensure total fairness". The group Five also performed a selection of their hits during the grand final. Tess and Claudia's Last Final A photo from the historic final hosting by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. 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 hosted 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 last time presenting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with feeling as they said their goodbyes. During the live broadcast, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were messages from celebrity chef 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 relationships: the bonds created, the challenges overcome and the happiness experienced in undertaking a joint challenge. "Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly partnership of all. "The kindness, compassion and sheer happiness you have radiated with and from each other has been at the centre of the show's success." Daly and Winkleman's final appearance will be the Christmas special, which is broadcast on 25 December.