Strictly Come Dancing Winners Announced in Glitzy Live Final
This piece covers the outcome of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 final.
Former Lioness Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly winner, emerging as the first footballer to lift the coveted trophy.
She overcame reality TV star Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after winning the audience vote in Saturday's grand finale.
Carney, who was paired with professional dancer Carlos Gu, remarked: "This is incredible, it's been the biggest privilege," before adding she was "speechless".
It was an heartfelt night in the studio, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the last time - with the Queen among those paying tribute to the veteran hosts.
In a message read out by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, compassion and sheer 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 wonderful".
As usual, one of the dances in the final show was chosen by the judges, one was their own favourite dance from the competition, and the other was a freestyle routine.
The judges gave guidance scores but the viewing audience made the final decision.
Carney and Gu executed dances 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 football-themed jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, garnering them a rapturous reception - and their second perfect score of the night.
But the winning pair faced stiff competition from the other remaining couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to take to the stage.
The couple 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 jive to 'Proud Mary'.
In another performance, 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 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 "changed my life," adding: "To the girls and boys watching at home, aim high and be proud and never give up."
Other highlights on the night included most of the contestants of 2025 returning for one more routine.
However, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had claimed earlier that the elimination process that saw him exit the show was unfair.
A representative denied the claim, saying the show's public vote was "externally monitored and verified to ensure complete accuracy".
The boyband Five also performed a string of their popular songs during the finale.
Tess and Claudia's Final Final
Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the shock revelation that they would be stepping down 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 feeling as they said their goodbyes.
During the live broadcast, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were recorded notes from TV cook 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 bonds created, the challenges overcome and the joy shared in undertaking a joint endeavour.
"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly pairing of all.
"The kindness, compassion and pure happiness you have projected with and from each other has been at the centre of the show's appeal."
Daly and Winkleman's last ever appearance will be the holiday episode, which is broadcast on 25 December.
