Strictly Come Dancing Winners Announced in Glitzy Live Final

This article reveals the conclusion of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 final.

Former England footballer Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly Come Dancing champion, becoming the first footballer to win the glitterball trophy.

She defeated Love Islander Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after winning the viewers' vote in Saturday's live final.

Carney, who was dancing with pro partner Carlos Gu, said: "This is incredible, it's been the greatest privilege," before adding she was "speechless".

It was an heartfelt night in the ballroom, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the last time - with Queen Camilla among those paying tribute to the long-running hosts.

In a note presented by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, compassion and sheer happiness" had been at the core of the show's popularity, adding: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly brilliant".

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 guidance scores but the viewing audience made the final decision.

Carney and Gu performed dances including a show dance to 'Inner Smile' by Texas, and an 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, earning them a rapturous reception - and their second full marks 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 grace the dance floor.

The couple performed routines 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 reprised their dramatic dance to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle.

They also did their freestyle routine to 'Human' by The Killers, and a Viennese Waltz to 'Somebody to Love' by Queen.

But after weeks of ballroom dances, it was Carney and Gu's night as they topped the public vote.

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

Gu told her she had "been transformative," adding: "To the girls and boys watching at home, aim high and be proud and never give up."

Other memorable moments 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 claimed earlier that the elimination process that saw him exit the show was rigged.

A representative denied the allegation, saying the show's public vote was "externally monitored and verified to ensure complete fairness".

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

The Hosts' Final Show

Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the shock announcement that they would be leaving their roles 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 final time hosting a Strictly final, and both were full of emotion as they signed off.

During the televised event, as well as the message from the Queen, there were messages from celebrity chef Mary Berry, members of the crew and devotees of the show.

The Queen's message said: "I have often thought that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about friendships: the connections forged, the struggles conquered and the joy shared in undertaking a joint endeavour.

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

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

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