Strictly Come Dancing Winners Crowned in Glitzy Grand Final

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

Ex- Lioness Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly winner, emerging as the first professional soccer player to lift the coveted trophy.

She defeated Love Islander Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after securing the public vote in Saturday's grand finale.

Carney, who was paired with pro partner Carlos Gu, stated: "This is incredible, it's been the greatest honour," before saying she was "speechless".

It was an emotional night in the ballroom, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the final occasion - with Queen Camilla among those paying tribute to the veteran hosts.

In a message read out by panelist 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, adding: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly wonderful".

As usual, one of the dances in the final show was selected by the judges, one was their own favourite dance from the series, 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 show dance 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 rapturous reception - and their second full marks of the night.

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

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

The couple delivered 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 upbeat dance to 'Proud Mary'.

Meanwhile, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr revisited 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.

"I just want to say thank you to everybody that has supported our experience, and supported us," said Carney.

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

Other memorable moments on the night included the majority of the cast of 2025 coming back for one more routine.

Yet, online figure Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had claimed earlier that the vote that saw him leave the show was unfair.

A spokesperson denied the allegation, saying the show's public vote was "independently overseen and verified to ensure total accuracy".

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

The Hosts' Last Final

Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the shock announcement that they would be stepping down at the end of this year's season.

Daly has presented since the first 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 feeling as they signed off.

During the live broadcast, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were recorded notes from TV cook Mary Berry, members of the crew and devotees 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 bonds forged, the challenges overcome and the joy shared in undertaking a shared 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 projected with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's success."

Daly and Winkleman's last ever show will be the holiday episode, which is broadcast on 25 December.