Strictly Winners Announced in Spectacular Live Final
This report details the result of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing culminating event.
Former England footballer Karen Carney has been named this year's Strictly winner, emerging as the first footballer to win the coveted trophy.
She defeated reality TV star Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after securing the public vote in Saturday's live final.
Carney, who was paired with pro partner Carlos Gu, said: "I can't believe it, it's been the greatest honour," before saying she was "speechless".
It was an heartfelt night in the ballroom, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the final occasion - with the Queen among those offering praise to the veteran hosts.
In a note presented by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, compassion and sheer happiness" had been at the heart of the show's popularity, adding: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly wonderful".
Following tradition, one of the dances in the final show was selected by the judges, one was their own preferred dance from the competition, and the other was a show dance.
The judges gave guidance scores but the public 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 sports-inspired jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, earning them a rapturous reception - and their second perfect score of the night.
But the victorious duo faced stiff competition from the other competing couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to take to the dance floor.
The pair delivered dances including a freestyle 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 show dance 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 public vote.
"My sincere thanks go to everybody that has backed our journey, 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 proud and never give up."
Other highlights on the night included the majority of the cast of 2025 returning for one more routine.
Yet, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had alleged earlier that the elimination process that saw him exit the show was rigged.
A spokesperson rejected the claim, saying the show's audience vote was "externally monitored and checked to ensure total accuracy".
The group Five also performed a selection of their popular songs during the grand final.
The Hosts' Last Final
In October, Daly and Winkleman made the shock announcement that they would be stepping down at the end of this year's series.
Daly has presented since the first series 21 years ago. Winkleman joined 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 message from the Queen, there were messages from celebrity chef Mary Berry, members of the production team and devotees of the show.
The Queen's message said: "It has often seemed to me that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about relationships: the bonds forged, the challenges conquered and the joy experienced in undertaking a joint endeavour.
"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly pairing of all.
"The kindness, care and pure happiness you have projected 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 Christmas special, which is broadcast on 25 December.
