Strictly Winners Crowned in Spectacular Grand Final

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

Ex- England footballer Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly Come Dancing winner, becoming the first footballer to claim the glitterball trophy.

She overcame Love Islander Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after securing the viewers' vote in Saturday's grand finale.

Carney, who was paired with professional dancer Carlos Gu, said: "I can't believe it, it's been the biggest privilege," before adding she was "overwhelmed".

It was an poignant night in the studio, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the final occasion - with Queen Camilla among those offering praise to the long-running hosts.

In a message presented by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, compassion and pure happiness" had been at the heart of the show's success, adding: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly fab-u-lous".

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 freestyle routine.

The judges gave guidance scores but the public 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 full marks of the night.

But the winning duo faced strong rivalry from the other competing couples.

Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to grace the stage.

The couple performed 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 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 ballroom dances, it was Carney and Gu's night as they topped the viewer poll.

"My sincere thanks go 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, dream big and be confident and never give up."

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

However, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had claimed earlier that the elimination process that saw him exit the show was unfair.

A spokesperson denied the allegation, saying the show's public vote was "independently overseen and checked to ensure complete fairness".

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

The Hosts' Final Show

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 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 presenting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with feeling as they signed off.

During the live broadcast, as well as the tribute 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 read: "I have often thought that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about friendships: the bonds forged, the challenges conquered and the joy shared in undertaking a joint challenge.

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

"The warmth, care and sheer joy you have projected with and from each other has been at the centre of the show's success."

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