🔗 Share this article Strictly Champions Crowned in Glitzy Grand Final This piece covers the outcome of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing culminating event. View: Scene Strictly 2025 winners are declared Former England footballer Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly winner, emerging as the first footballer to claim the coveted trophy. She defeated Love Islander Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after winning the audience vote in Saturday's grand finale. Carney, who was dancing with pro partner Carlos Gu, stated: "I can't believe it, it's been the biggest honour," before saying she was "lost for words". It was an emotional night in the studio, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the last time - with Queen Camilla among those paying tribute to the veteran hosts. Hosts Tess and Claudia bid farewell to Strictly Come Dancing In a message read out by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, compassion and pure joy" had been at the heart of the show's popularity, adding: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly fab-u-lous". Karen Carney and Carlos Gu with the championship trophy - their football-themed jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie earned them a rapturous applause. 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 advisory 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 sports-inspired jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, earning them a standing ovation - and their second full marks of the night. Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin were the first couple to take to the dance floor in the final. But the winning duo faced stiff competition from the other remaining couples. Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to grace the stage. The pair delivered routines 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'. 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 Viennese 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 backed our experience, and supported us," said Carney. Gu told her she had "changed my life," adding: "To the young people watching at home, aim high and be proud and never give up." Social media star George Clarke and Alexis Warr opted to repeat their signature dance from the series, a Paso Doble to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle. Other highlights on the night included most of the contestants of 2025 returning for one more routine. However, online figure Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had alleged earlier that the vote that saw him exit the show was unfair. A spokesperson rejected the claim, saying the show's audience vote was "independently overseen and verified to ensure total fairness". The group Five also performed a selection of their popular songs during the grand final. Tess and Claudia's Final Final An image from the emotional final hosting by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the shock announcement that they would be leaving their roles 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 hosted Strictly's sister show It Takes Two since 2004. This was their final time presenting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with emotion as they signed off. During the televised event, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were recorded notes from celebrity chef Mary Berry, members of the crew 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 challenges overcome and the joy shared in undertaking a joint endeavour. "Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly pairing of all. "The kindness, compassion and sheer happiness you have projected with and from each other has been at the centre of the show's success." Daly and Winkleman's final show will be the Christmas special, which is broadcast on 25 December.
This piece covers the outcome of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing culminating event. View: Scene Strictly 2025 winners are declared Former England footballer Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly winner, emerging as the first footballer to claim the coveted trophy. She defeated Love Islander Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after winning the audience vote in Saturday's grand finale. Carney, who was dancing with pro partner Carlos Gu, stated: "I can't believe it, it's been the biggest honour," before saying she was "lost for words". It was an emotional night in the studio, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the last time - with Queen Camilla among those paying tribute to the veteran hosts. Hosts Tess and Claudia bid farewell to Strictly Come Dancing In a message read out by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, compassion and pure joy" had been at the heart of the show's popularity, adding: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly fab-u-lous". Karen Carney and Carlos Gu with the championship trophy - their football-themed jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie earned them a rapturous applause. 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 advisory 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 sports-inspired jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, earning them a standing ovation - and their second full marks of the night. Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin were the first couple to take to the dance floor in the final. But the winning duo faced stiff competition from the other remaining couples. Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to grace the stage. The pair delivered routines 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'. 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 Viennese 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 backed our experience, and supported us," said Carney. Gu told her she had "changed my life," adding: "To the young people watching at home, aim high and be proud and never give up." Social media star George Clarke and Alexis Warr opted to repeat their signature dance from the series, a Paso Doble to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle. Other highlights on the night included most of the contestants of 2025 returning for one more routine. However, online figure Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had alleged earlier that the vote that saw him exit the show was unfair. A spokesperson rejected the claim, saying the show's audience vote was "independently overseen and verified to ensure total fairness". The group Five also performed a selection of their popular songs during the grand final. Tess and Claudia's Final Final An image from the emotional final hosting by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the shock announcement that they would be leaving their roles 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 hosted Strictly's sister show It Takes Two since 2004. This was their final time presenting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with emotion as they signed off. During the televised event, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were recorded notes from celebrity chef Mary Berry, members of the crew 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 challenges overcome and the joy shared in undertaking a joint endeavour. "Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly pairing of all. "The kindness, compassion and sheer happiness you have projected with and from each other has been at the centre of the show's success." Daly and Winkleman's final show will be the Christmas special, which is broadcast on 25 December.