🔗 Share this article Strictly Champions Announced in Spectacular Grand Finale This report details the result of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing final. View: Moment Strictly 2025 victors are crowned Former Lioness Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly Come Dancing champion, becoming the first professional soccer player to claim the glitterball trophy. She overcame Love Islander Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after winning the public vote in Saturday's grand finale. Carney, who was paired with pro partner Carlos Gu, remarked: "I can't believe it, it's been the greatest privilege," before saying she was "speechless". It was an poignant night in the ballroom, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the last time - with the Queen among those offering praise to the long-running hosts. Hosts Tess and Claudia say goodbye to Strictly Come Dancing In a note read out by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, compassion and sheer happiness" had been at the heart of the show's popularity, stating: "I think I speak for everyone 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 standing ovation. As usual, 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 show dance. The judges gave guidance scores but the viewing audience made the ultimate choice. 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 football-themed jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, earning them a standing ovation - and their second perfect score of the night. Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin were the first couple to take to the dance floor in the final. But the victorious duo faced stiff rivalry from the other remaining couples. Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to grace the dance floor. The couple delivered dances 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 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 public vote. "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," commenting: "To the girls and boys watching at home, dream big and be confident and never give up." Social media star George Clarke and Alexis Warr opted to repeat their signature dance from the series, a powerful routine to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle. Other highlights on the night included most of the cast of 2025 returning for one more routine. However, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had alleged earlier that the vote that saw him leave the show was unfair. A spokesperson rejected the claim, saying the show's public vote was "externally monitored and verified to ensure complete fairness". The boyband Five also performed a selection of their popular songs during the finale. The Hosts' Last Final An image from the historic final hosting by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. In October, 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 first 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 hosting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with feeling as they said their goodbyes. During the televised event, as well as the message from the Queen, there were messages from celebrity chef 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 relationships: the bonds created, the struggles conquered and the joy shared in undertaking a shared challenge. "Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly pairing of all. "The kindness, 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 show will be the Christmas special, which is broadcast on 25 December.
This report details the result of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing final. View: Moment Strictly 2025 victors are crowned Former Lioness Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly Come Dancing champion, becoming the first professional soccer player to claim the glitterball trophy. She overcame Love Islander Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after winning the public vote in Saturday's grand finale. Carney, who was paired with pro partner Carlos Gu, remarked: "I can't believe it, it's been the greatest privilege," before saying she was "speechless". It was an poignant night in the ballroom, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the last time - with the Queen among those offering praise to the long-running hosts. Hosts Tess and Claudia say goodbye to Strictly Come Dancing In a note read out by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, compassion and sheer happiness" had been at the heart of the show's popularity, stating: "I think I speak for everyone 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 standing ovation. As usual, 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 show dance. The judges gave guidance scores but the viewing audience made the ultimate choice. 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 football-themed jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, earning them a standing ovation - and their second perfect score of the night. Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin were the first couple to take to the dance floor in the final. But the victorious duo faced stiff rivalry from the other remaining couples. Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to grace the dance floor. The couple delivered dances 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 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 public vote. "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," commenting: "To the girls and boys watching at home, dream big and be confident and never give up." Social media star George Clarke and Alexis Warr opted to repeat their signature dance from the series, a powerful routine to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle. Other highlights on the night included most of the cast of 2025 returning for one more routine. However, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had alleged earlier that the vote that saw him leave the show was unfair. A spokesperson rejected the claim, saying the show's public vote was "externally monitored and verified to ensure complete fairness". The boyband Five also performed a selection of their popular songs during the finale. The Hosts' Last Final An image from the historic final hosting by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. In October, 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 first 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 hosting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with feeling as they said their goodbyes. During the televised event, as well as the message from the Queen, there were messages from celebrity chef 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 relationships: the bonds created, the struggles conquered and the joy shared in undertaking a shared challenge. "Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly pairing of all. "The kindness, 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 show will be the Christmas special, which is broadcast on 25 December.