Strictly Winners Crowned in Spectacular Grand Final

This article reveals the result of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing culminating event.

Former England footballer Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly Come Dancing champion, emerging as the first footballer to win the glitterball trophy.

She beat reality TV star Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after securing the public vote in Saturday's grand finale.

Carney, who was paired with pro partner Carlos Gu, said: "This is incredible, it's been the greatest privilege," 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 long-running hosts.

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

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 freestyle routine.

The judges gave guidance scores but the public made the ultimate choice.

Carney and Gu performed routines including a show dance 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 standing ovation - and their second full marks of the night.

But the winning pair faced stiff rivalry from the other remaining couples.

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

The couple delivered 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'.

In another performance, 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 Viennese Waltz to 'Somebody to Love' by Queen.

But after weeks of tangos, 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 girls and boys watching at home, aim high and be confident 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 attend. He had alleged earlier that the vote that saw him leave the show was rigged.

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

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

Tess and Claudia's Final 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 inaugural series 21 years ago. Winkleman joined in 2014, having hosted Strictly's companion program 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 message from the Queen, there were recorded notes from celebrity chef 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 forged, the challenges overcome and the joy shared in undertaking a joint challenge.

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

"The warmth, care and sheer joy you have radiated with and from each other has been at the centre of the show's appeal."

Daly and Winkleman's final appearance will be the holiday episode, which airs on 25 December.