Strictly Champions Announced in Spectacular Grand Final

This report details the result of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing culminating event.

Former England footballer Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly Come Dancing champion, becoming the first footballer to lift the coveted trophy.

She overcame reality TV star Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after winning the viewers' vote in Saturday's grand finale.

Carney, who was paired with pro partner Carlos Gu, remarked: "This is incredible, it's been the biggest privilege," before saying she was "lost for words".

It was an heartfelt night in the studio, as hosts 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 note read out by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, compassion and sheer joy" had been at the core of the show's success, stating: "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 favourite 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 dances 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, garnering them a standing ovation - and their second perfect score of the night.

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

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

The pair delivered routines including a freestyle to 'Rain On Me' by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, a Spanish-inspired dance to 'Dream On' by Aerosmith, and a jive 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 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.

"My sincere thanks go to everybody that has supported our journey, and supported us," said Carney.

Gu told her she had "been transformative," adding: "To the girls and boys watching at home, aim high and be proud and never give up."

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

However, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had claimed earlier that the vote that saw him leave the show was rigged.

A representative rejected the allegation, saying the show's public vote was "externally monitored and verified to ensure complete fairness".

The boyband Five also performed a selection of their hits during the finale.

Tess and Claudia's Last 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 came on board in 2014, having fronted Strictly's sister show It Takes Two since 2004.

This was their final time presenting 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 messages from TV cook Mary Berry, members of the crew 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 relationships: the connections created, the challenges overcome and the happiness shared in undertaking a shared challenge.

"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly pairing of all.

"The kindness, care and pure happiness you have radiated with and from each other has been at the centre of the show's appeal."

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