Strictly Winners Crowned in Glitzy Grand Finale
This piece covers the result of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing final.
Former Lioness Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly Come Dancing champion, becoming the first professional soccer player to lift the glitterball 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 dancing with professional dancer Carlos Gu, stated: "I can't believe it, it's been the greatest privilege," before saying she was "lost for words".
It was an poignant night in the studio, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the final occasion - with the Queen among those offering praise to the long-running hosts.
In a message read out by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, empathy and pure joy" had been at the heart of the show's popularity, stating: "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 selected 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 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 full marks of the night.
But the victorious duo faced stiff competition from the other remaining couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to take to 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'.
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 Viennese Waltz to 'Somebody to Love' by Queen.
But after weeks of salsas and foxtrots, it was Carney and Gu's night as they topped the public vote.
"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 young people watching at home, aim high and be proud and never give up."
Other highlights on the night included most of the cast of 2025 returning for one more routine.
Yet, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had alleged earlier that the vote that saw him leave the show was unfair.
A representative rejected the claim, saying the show's public vote was "externally monitored and checked to ensure complete accuracy".
The boyband Five also performed a selection of their popular songs during the finale.
Tess and Claudia's Final Final
In October, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise revelation 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 came on board in 2014, having fronted 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 televised event, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were recorded notes from TV cook Mary Berry, members of the crew and fans of the show.
The Queen's message read: "I have often thought that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about friendships: the connections forged, the struggles conquered and the happiness experienced in undertaking a shared challenge.
"Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly pairing of all.
"The kindness, care and pure joy you have radiated with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's success."
Daly and Winkleman's final show will be the Christmas special, which airs on 25 December.
