Strictly Come Dancing Champions Announced in Spectacular Live Finale
This article reveals the result of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing final.
Former England footballer Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly champion, emerging as the first footballer to lift the glitterball trophy.
She overcame Love Islander Amber Davies and online influencer 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 greatest privilege," before saying she was "speechless".
It was an poignant night in the studio, 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 note presented by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, empathy and pure joy" had been at the core of the show's success, stating: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly brilliant".
As usual, one of the dances in the final show was selected by the judges, one was their own preferred dance from the series, and the other was a show dance.
The judges gave guidance scores but the viewing audience made the ultimate choice.
Carney and Gu performed routines 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 standing ovation - and their second perfect score of the night.
But the victorious duo faced strong competition from the other remaining couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to grace the dance floor.
The pair performed routines including a show dance 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'.
In another performance, 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 classical waltz to 'Somebody to Love' by Queen.
But after weeks of tangos, it was Carney and Gu's night as they topped the viewer poll.
"My sincere thanks go to everybody that has supported our journey, and supported us," said Carney.
Gu told her she had "been transformative," commenting: "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 cast of 2025 coming back for one more performance.
However, online figure Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had claimed earlier that the vote that saw him leave the show was unfair.
A representative denied the claim, saying the show's audience vote was "externally monitored and checked to ensure complete accuracy".
The boyband Five also performed a selection of their hits during the grand final.
The Hosts' Final Show
In October, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise announcement that they would be stepping down at the end of this year's season.
Daly has presented since the first series 21 years ago. Winkleman came on board in 2014, having hosted Strictly's companion program It Takes Two since 2004.
This was their final time presenting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with feeling as they said their goodbyes.
During the televised event, as well as the message from the Queen, there were messages from TV cook Mary Berry, members of the crew 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 relationships: the connections forged, the struggles overcome and the joy experienced in undertaking a joint endeavour.
"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly pairing of all.
"The warmth, care and sheer 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 holiday episode, which is broadcast on 25 December.
