Strictly Winners Announced in Spectacular Live Finale

This piece covers the outcome of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing final.

Former Lioness Karen Carney has been named this year's Strictly winner, emerging as the first professional soccer player to claim the glitterball trophy.

She defeated reality TV star Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after winning the public vote in Saturday's grand finale.

Carney, who was dancing with professional dancer Carlos Gu, stated: "It's unbelievable, it's been the greatest honour," before saying 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 note 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 popularity, 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 preferred dance from the series, and the other was a freestyle routine.

The judges gave advisory scores but the public made the final decision.

Carney and Gu performed 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 standing ovation - and their second full marks of the night.

But the victorious pair faced strong rivalry from the other remaining couples.

Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to take to the stage.

The pair performed dances including a show dance to 'Rain On Me' by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, a Paso Doble to 'Dream On' by Aerosmith, and a jive 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 freestyle routine 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 won the public vote.

"I just want to say thank you to everybody that has supported our journey, and supported us," said Carney.

Gu told her she had "been transformative," adding: "To the girls and boys 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.

Yet, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had claimed earlier that the elimination process that saw him leave the show was rigged.

A spokesperson denied the allegation, saying the show's audience vote was "externally monitored and checked to ensure total fairness".

The group Five also performed a string of their hits during the finale.

The Hosts' Last Show

Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise announcement that they would be leaving their roles at the end of this year's series.

Daly has presented since the inaugural series 21 years ago. Winkleman came on board 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 full of emotion as they said their goodbyes.

During the live broadcast, as well as the message from the Queen, there were recorded notes 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 struggles overcome and the joy shared in undertaking a joint 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 radiated 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.