Strictly Come Dancing Winners Crowned in Spectacular Grand Final

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

Former England footballer Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly Come Dancing champion, emerging as the first professional soccer player to lift the glitterball trophy.

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

Carney, who was dancing with professional dancer Carlos Gu, stated: "This is incredible, it's been the greatest privilege," before saying she was "lost for words".

It was an emotional night in the ballroom, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the final occasion - with Queen Camilla among those offering praise to the veteran hosts.

In a note presented by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, empathy and pure joy" had been at the heart of the show's success, adding: "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 show dance.

The judges gave advisory scores but the viewing audience made the final decision.

Carney and Gu executed routines 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 winning pair faced strong rivalry from the other remaining couples.

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

The pair delivered 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 upbeat dance to 'Proud Mary'.

Meanwhile, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr reprised their Paso Doble to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle.

They also did their show dance to 'Human' by The Killers, and a classical 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 backed our experience, and supported us," said Carney.

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

Other highlights on the night included most of the contestants of 2025 coming back for one more routine.

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

A spokesperson rejected 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 hits during the grand final.

The Hosts' Final Final

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 companion program It Takes Two since 2004.

This was their final time hosting 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 messages from celebrity chef Mary Berry, members of the crew 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 relationships: the connections created, the challenges conquered and the happiness shared in undertaking a shared endeavour.

"Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly pairing of all.

"The kindness, 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 final show will be the holiday episode, which is broadcast on 25 December.