Strictly Winners Crowned in Spectacular Live Finale
This article reveals the result of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing final.
Former Lioness Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly winner, emerging as the first footballer to win the coveted trophy.
She beat Love Islander Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after winning the audience vote in Saturday's live final.
Carney, who was paired with professional dancer Carlos Gu, stated: "This is incredible, it's been the greatest honour," before saying she was "overwhelmed".
It was an poignant night in the ballroom, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the final occasion - with the Queen among those paying tribute to the long-running hosts.
In a note presented by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, empathy and pure joy" had been at the core of the show's popularity, adding: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly fab-u-lous".
Following tradition, one of the dances in the final show was chosen by the judges, one was their own favourite dance from the series, and the other was a freestyle routine.
The judges gave advisory scores but the viewing audience made the ultimate choice.
Carney and Gu performed 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 football-themed jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, earning them a rapturous reception - and their second perfect score of the night.
But the winning pair faced fierce competition from the other competing couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to grace the dance floor.
The couple delivered routines including a show dance 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 performed again their Paso Doble 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 salsas and foxtrots, it was Carney and Gu's night as they won the public vote.
"I just want to say thank you to everybody that has backed our experience, and supported us," said Carney.
Gu told her she had "been transformative," 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 returning for one more routine.
Yet, online figure Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had claimed earlier that the vote that saw him exit the show was rigged.
A spokesperson rejected the claim, saying the show's audience vote was "externally monitored and checked to ensure complete accuracy".
The group Five also performed a string of their popular songs during the grand final.
Tess and Claudia's Last Show
In October, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise announcement that they would be stepping down at the end of this year's series.
Daly has presented since the first series 21 years ago. Winkleman joined in 2014, having hosted Strictly's companion program It Takes Two since 2004.
This was their last time presenting a Strictly final, and both were full of feeling as they signed off.
During the televised event, as well as the message from the Queen, there were recorded notes from TV cook Mary Berry, members of the production team and fans 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 connections forged, the struggles overcome and the happiness experienced in undertaking a joint challenge.
"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly pairing of all.
"The kindness, compassion and pure joy you have projected 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.
