Strictly Winners Crowned in Glitzy Grand Final
This report details the conclusion of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing culminating event.
Former Lioness Karen Carney has been named this year's Strictly champion, becoming the first footballer to lift the coveted trophy.
She beat Love Islander Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after securing the audience vote in Saturday's grand finale.
Carney, who was dancing with pro partner Carlos Gu, remarked: "This is incredible, it's been the biggest privilege," before adding she was "speechless".
It was an poignant night in the ballroom, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the last time - with Queen Camilla among those paying tribute to the veteran hosts.
In a message read out by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, compassion and pure happiness" had been at the core of the show's success, adding: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly wonderful".
As usual, one of the dances in the final show was chosen by the judges, one was their own preferred dance from the competition, and the other was a freestyle routine.
The judges gave advisory scores but the public made the final decision.
Carney and Gu executed dances including a freestyle to 'Inner Smile' by Texas, and an Argentine 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, garnering them a standing ovation - and their second perfect score of the night.
But the victorious pair faced strong rivalry from the other competing couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to take to the dance floor.
The pair performed routines including a freestyle to 'Rain On Me' by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, a Paso Doble 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 ballroom dances, 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 "been transformative," adding: "To the girls and boys watching at home, aim high and be confident and never give up."
Other highlights on the night included the majority of the contestants of 2025 coming back for one more routine.
However, online figure Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had alleged earlier that the elimination process that saw him exit the show was rigged.
A representative rejected the allegation, saying the show's audience vote was "independently overseen and verified to ensure complete fairness".
The boyband Five also performed a selection of their hits during the grand final.
Tess and Claudia's Final Final
Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise announcement that they would be stepping down at the end of this year's season.
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 feeling as they said their goodbyes.
During the live broadcast, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were messages from celebrity chef 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 created, the challenges conquered and the joy shared in undertaking a joint challenge.
"Should that be the case, 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 centre of the show's success."
Daly and Winkleman's final show will be the Christmas special, which is broadcast on 25 December.
