Strictly Winners Announced in Glitzy Grand Final
This piece covers the result of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing final.
Ex- England footballer Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly Come Dancing champion, becoming the first footballer to win the coveted trophy.
She overcame Love Islander Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after securing the public vote in Saturday's grand finale.
Carney, who was dancing with professional dancer Carlos Gu, said: "This is incredible, it's been the greatest privilege," before saying she was "speechless".
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 offering praise to the long-running hosts.
In a message presented by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, empathy and pure joy" had been at the core of the show's success, adding: "I think I speak for everyone 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 show dance.
The judges gave guidance scores but the viewing audience made the final decision.
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 sports-inspired jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, garnering them a standing ovation - and their second full marks of the night.
But the victorious duo faced strong competition from the other competing couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to grace the dance floor.
The pair performed dances 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 revisited their dramatic dance to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle.
They also did their show dance 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 public vote.
"My sincere thanks go to everybody that has backed 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 confident and never give up."
Other highlights on the night included most of the contestants of 2025 returning for one more performance.
However, online figure Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had alleged earlier that the vote that saw him exit the show was unfair.
A representative rejected the claim, saying the show's public vote was "independently overseen and checked to ensure total accuracy".
The group Five also performed a string of their hits during the grand final.
Tess and Claudia's Final Final
Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise 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 final time presenting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with emotion as they said their goodbyes.
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 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 bonds forged, the struggles conquered and the joy experienced in undertaking a shared challenge.
"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly pairing of all.
"The warmth, compassion and sheer 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.
