Strictly Winners Announced in Glitzy Live Finale
This report details the conclusion of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing culminating event.
Ex- Lioness Karen Carney has been named this year's Strictly winner, becoming the first professional soccer player to win the glitterball trophy.
She beat reality TV star Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after winning the audience vote in Saturday's live final.
Carney, who was paired with professional dancer Carlos Gu, said: "It's unbelievable, it's been the greatest privilege," before adding 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 the Queen among those paying tribute to the long-running hosts.
In a note presented by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, compassion and pure happiness" had been at the core of the show's success, adding: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly fab-u-lous".
As usual, one of the dances in the grand finale was chosen by the judges, one was their own favourite dance from the series, and the other was a freestyle routine.
The judges gave guidance scores but the viewing audience made the ultimate choice.
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, garnering them a rapturous reception - and their second full marks of the night.
But the winning duo faced strong competition from the other competing couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to grace 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 dramatic dance to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle.
They also did their freestyle routine 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 public vote.
"I just want to say thank you to everybody that has supported our experience, and supported us," said Carney.
Gu told her she had "been transformative," adding: "To the girls and boys watching at home, dream big and be proud and never give up."
Other highlights on the night included most of the cast of 2025 returning for one more routine.
However, online figure Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had alleged earlier that the vote that saw him exit the show was unfair.
A representative rejected the claim, saying the show's public vote was "independently overseen and verified to ensure total accuracy".
The group Five also performed a selection of their popular songs during the grand final.
The Hosts' Last Final
Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise announcement that they would be leaving their roles at the end of this year's season.
Daly has presented since the inaugural series 21 years ago. Winkleman came on board in 2014, having hosted Strictly's companion program It Takes Two since 2004.
This was their last time hosting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with feeling as they signed off.
During the live broadcast, as well as the message from the Queen, there were recorded notes from celebrity chef Mary Berry, members of the production team and devotees of the show.
The Queen's message read: "It has often seemed to me 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 shared endeavour.
"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly pairing of all.
"The warmth, compassion 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 last ever show will be the holiday episode, which airs on 25 December.
