Strictly Champions Announced in Glitzy Grand Final

This piece covers the conclusion of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing championship.

Ex- Lioness Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly Come Dancing winner, becoming the first professional soccer player to claim the coveted trophy.

She defeated reality TV star Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after securing the public vote in Saturday's live final.

Carney, who was dancing with professional dancer Carlos Gu, remarked: "This is incredible, it's been the biggest 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 last time - with Queen Camilla among those offering praise to the long-running hosts.

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

Following tradition, one of the dances in the final show was selected by the judges, one was their own favourite dance from the series, and the other was a freestyle routine.

The judges gave advisory scores but the viewing audience made the ultimate choice.

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

But the victorious duo faced fierce rivalry 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 freestyle to 'Rain On Me' by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, a Spanish-inspired dance to 'Dream On' by Aerosmith, and a jive to 'Proud Mary'.

Meanwhile, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr revisited their Paso Doble 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 tangos, it was Carney and Gu's night as they topped the viewer poll.

"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," commenting: "To the young people watching at home, aim high 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, online figure Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had alleged earlier that the vote that saw him exit the show was rigged.

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

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

Tess and Claudia's Final 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 hosted since the first series 21 years ago. Winkleman came on board in 2014, having hosted Strictly's sister show It Takes Two since 2004.

This was their last time hosting a Strictly final, and both were full of feeling as they signed off.

During the televised event, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were messages from TV cook Mary Berry, members of the production team 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 friendships: the connections forged, the challenges overcome and the happiness shared in undertaking a joint endeavour.

"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly partnership of all.

"The warmth, care and pure joy you have projected with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's success."

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