Strictly Winners Crowned in Glitzy Live Final
This article reveals the outcome of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 final.
Ex- England footballer Karen Carney has been named this year's Strictly Come Dancing winner, becoming the first professional soccer player to lift the glitterball trophy.
She overcame Love Islander Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after winning the public vote in Saturday's live final.
Carney, who was paired with professional dancer Carlos Gu, remarked: "I can't believe it, it's been the biggest honour," before adding she was "lost for words".
It was an emotional night in the ballroom, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the last time - with the Queen among those paying tribute to the long-running hosts.
In a note read out by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, compassion and pure happiness" had been at the core of the show's popularity, adding: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly wonderful".
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 show dance.
The judges gave advisory scores but the public made the ultimate choice.
Carney and Gu executed dances including a freestyle to 'Inner Smile' by Texas, and an tango to 'Red Right Hand' by Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds.
They also performed a sports-inspired jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, earning them a rapturous reception - and their second perfect score of the night.
But the winning duo faced strong competition from the other remaining couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to take to the dance floor.
The couple delivered dances including a freestyle 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 reprised their dramatic dance 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 salsas and foxtrots, it was Carney and Gu's night as they won the viewer poll.
"I just want to say thank you to everybody that has backed our journey, and supported us," said Carney.
Gu told her she had "been transformative," commenting: "To the young people watching at home, dream big and be proud and never give up."
Other highlights on the night included most of the cast of 2025 returning for one more routine.
However, online figure Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had alleged earlier that the vote that saw him leave the show was unfair.
A spokesperson rejected the allegation, saying the show's audience vote was "externally monitored and verified to ensure total fairness".
The boyband Five also performed a string of their popular songs during the finale.
Tess and Claudia's Last Final
In October, Daly and Winkleman made the shock 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 joined in 2014, having fronted Strictly's sister show It Takes Two since 2004.
This was their last time presenting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with feeling as they said their goodbyes.
During the live broadcast, as well as the message from the Queen, there were messages from celebrity chef Mary Berry, members of the production team and devotees of the show.
The Queen's message read: "It has often seemed to me that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about friendships: the bonds forged, the struggles conquered and the happiness shared in undertaking a shared challenge.
"Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly partnership of all.
"The kindness, compassion and sheer joy you have projected with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's success."
Daly and Winkleman's final show will be the holiday episode, which airs on 25 December.
