๐ Share this article Strictly Champions Announced in Spectacular Live Final This report details the conclusion of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing culminating event. Watch: Moment Strictly Come Dancing 2025 victors are declared Ex- England footballer Karen Carney has been named this year's Strictly Come Dancing champion, emerging as the first professional soccer player to lift the coveted trophy. She beat Love Islander Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after winning the viewers' vote in Saturday's grand finale. Carney, who was paired with pro partner Carlos Gu, said: "This is incredible, it's been the biggest privilege," before saying she was "lost for words". It was an emotional night in the ballroom, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the last time - with the Queen among those offering praise to the veteran hosts. Presenters Tess and Claudia say goodbye to Strictly Come Dancing In a note presented by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, empathy and pure 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 fab-u-lous". Karen Carney and Carlos Gu with the glitterball trophy - their soccer-inspired jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie earned them a standing ovation. As usual, one of the dances in the grand finale was selected by the judges, one was their own preferred dance from the series, and the other was a show dance. The judges gave advisory scores but the viewing audience 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, garnering them a rapturous reception - and their second perfect score of the night. Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin were the first couple to step onto the stage in the final. But the victorious duo faced strong rivalry from the other competing couples. Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to grace the dance floor. The couple delivered routines 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'. Meanwhile, 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 Viennese Waltz to 'Somebody to Love' by Queen. But after weeks of tangos, it was Carney and Gu's night as they won the viewer poll. "My sincere thanks go to everybody that has backed our experience, and supported us," said Carney. Gu told her she had "been transformative," adding: "To the young people watching at home, aim high and be confident and never give up." Influencer George Clarke and Alexis Warr opted to repeat their signature dance from the series, a powerful routine to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle. Other memorable moments on the night included the majority of the cast of 2025 returning for one more performance. Yet, online figure Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had claimed earlier that the vote that saw him exit the show was unfair. A representative denied the allegation, 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 A photo from the historic final presentation by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. In October, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise revelation that they would be leaving their roles at the end of this year's series. Daly has hosted since the inaugural series 21 years ago. Winkleman came on board in 2014, having fronted Strictly's sister show It Takes Two since 2004. This was their last time presenting 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 celebrity chef Mary Berry, members of the production team and fans of the show. The Queen's message said: "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 experienced in undertaking a joint challenge. "Should that be the case, 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 heart of the show's success." Daly and Winkleman's final show will be the Christmas special, which airs on 25 December.
This report details the conclusion of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing culminating event. Watch: Moment Strictly Come Dancing 2025 victors are declared Ex- England footballer Karen Carney has been named this year's Strictly Come Dancing champion, emerging as the first professional soccer player to lift the coveted trophy. She beat Love Islander Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after winning the viewers' vote in Saturday's grand finale. Carney, who was paired with pro partner Carlos Gu, said: "This is incredible, it's been the biggest privilege," before saying she was "lost for words". It was an emotional night in the ballroom, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the last time - with the Queen among those offering praise to the veteran hosts. Presenters Tess and Claudia say goodbye to Strictly Come Dancing In a note presented by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, empathy and pure 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 fab-u-lous". Karen Carney and Carlos Gu with the glitterball trophy - their soccer-inspired jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie earned them a standing ovation. As usual, one of the dances in the grand finale was selected by the judges, one was their own preferred dance from the series, and the other was a show dance. The judges gave advisory scores but the viewing audience 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, garnering them a rapturous reception - and their second perfect score of the night. Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin were the first couple to step onto the stage in the final. But the victorious duo faced strong rivalry from the other competing couples. Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to grace the dance floor. The couple delivered routines 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'. Meanwhile, 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 Viennese Waltz to 'Somebody to Love' by Queen. But after weeks of tangos, it was Carney and Gu's night as they won the viewer poll. "My sincere thanks go to everybody that has backed our experience, and supported us," said Carney. Gu told her she had "been transformative," adding: "To the young people watching at home, aim high and be confident and never give up." Influencer George Clarke and Alexis Warr opted to repeat their signature dance from the series, a powerful routine to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle. Other memorable moments on the night included the majority of the cast of 2025 returning for one more performance. Yet, online figure Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had claimed earlier that the vote that saw him exit the show was unfair. A representative denied the allegation, 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 A photo from the historic final presentation by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. In October, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise revelation that they would be leaving their roles at the end of this year's series. Daly has hosted since the inaugural series 21 years ago. Winkleman came on board in 2014, having fronted Strictly's sister show It Takes Two since 2004. This was their last time presenting 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 celebrity chef Mary Berry, members of the production team and fans of the show. The Queen's message said: "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 experienced in undertaking a joint challenge. "Should that be the case, 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 heart of the show's success." Daly and Winkleman's final show will be the Christmas special, which airs on 25 December.