Strictly Come Dancing Winners Announced in Spectacular Live Finale

This article reveals the result of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing championship.

Former Lioness Karen Carney has been named this year's Strictly Come Dancing winner, emerging as the first footballer to claim the glitterball trophy.

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

Carney, who was dancing with professional dancer Carlos Gu, remarked: "This is incredible, it's been the biggest privilege," before saying she was "speechless".

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 offering praise to the veteran hosts.

In a message read out by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, empathy and pure happiness" had been at the core of the show's popularity, stating: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly brilliant".

As usual, one of the dances in the grand finale was selected by the judges, one was their own favourite dance from the series, and the other was a freestyle routine.

The judges gave guidance scores but the public made the ultimate choice.

Carney and Gu executed 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 perfect score of the night.

But the winning duo faced fierce competition from the other competing couples.

Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to take to 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 revisited 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 public vote.

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

Gu told her she had "changed my life," adding: "To the young people watching at home, dream big and be confident and never give up."

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

However, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had alleged earlier that the elimination process that saw him leave the show was rigged.

A representative denied the claim, saying the show's audience vote was "independently overseen and checked to ensure complete accuracy".

The boyband Five also performed a string of their popular songs during the finale.

The Hosts' Final Final

In October, Daly and Winkleman made the shock revelation that they would be stepping down at the end of this year's season.

Daly has presented since the first series 21 years ago. Winkleman came on board in 2014, having hosted 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 said their goodbyes.

During the televised event, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were messages 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 relationships: the connections created, 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 pairing of all.

"The warmth, compassion and sheer happiness you have radiated with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's appeal."

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