Strictly Winners Announced in Glitzy Live Final

This piece covers the conclusion of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 final.

Ex- Lioness Karen Carney has been named this year's Strictly winner, becoming the first professional soccer player to claim the coveted trophy.

She beat reality TV star Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after winning the viewers' vote in Saturday's live final.

Carney, who was dancing with professional dancer Carlos Gu, stated: "This is incredible, it's been the biggest privilege," 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 Queen Camilla among those paying tribute to the long-running hosts.

In a message read out by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, empathy and sheer 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 wonderful".

As usual, one of the dances in the grand finale was chosen by the judges, one was their own preferred dance from the series, and the other was a freestyle routine.

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

Carney and Gu executed dances including a show dance 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 rapturous reception - and their second perfect score of the night.

But the victorious duo faced stiff rivalry from the other remaining couples.

Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to grace the stage.

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'.

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 ballroom dances, it was Carney and Gu's night as they won the viewer poll.

"My sincere thanks go to everybody that has supported our experience, and supported us," said Carney.

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

Other highlights on the night included most of the cast of 2025 returning for one more performance.

Yet, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had alleged earlier that the elimination process that saw him exit the show was rigged.

A representative denied the allegation, saying the show's audience vote was "externally monitored and checked to ensure total accuracy".

The group Five also performed a selection of their hits during the finale.

Tess and Claudia's Last Final

Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the shock announcement that they would be stepping down at the end of this year's series.

Daly has hosted since the first series 21 years ago. Winkleman joined in 2014, having fronted Strictly's companion program It Takes Two since 2004.

This was their final time presenting a Strictly final, and both were full of 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 said: "It has often seemed to me that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about relationships: the bonds forged, the struggles conquered and the joy experienced in undertaking a shared endeavour.

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

"The kindness, compassion and sheer joy you have radiated with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's appeal."

Daly and Winkleman's last ever appearance will be the Christmas special, which is broadcast on 25 December.