Strictly Come Dancing Champions Crowned in Spectacular Live Finale

This article reveals the result of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing final.

Ex- England footballer Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly Come Dancing champion, becoming the first professional soccer player to lift the glitterball trophy.

She beat reality TV star Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after securing the public vote in Saturday's grand finale.

Carney, who was dancing with pro partner Carlos Gu, stated: "This is incredible, it's been the biggest privilege," before saying she was "overwhelmed".

It was an emotional night in the ballroom, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the final occasion - with Queen Camilla among those paying tribute to the veteran hosts.

In a note read out by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, empathy and sheer joy" 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 favourite dance from the series, and the other was a freestyle routine.

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

Carney and Gu executed routines including a freestyle 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 full marks of the night.

But the victorious duo faced fierce rivalry from the other competing couples.

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

The pair performed routines including a show dance to 'Rain On Me' by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, a Paso Doble to 'Dream On' by Aerosmith, and a jive to 'Proud Mary'.

Meanwhile, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr revisited their Paso Doble 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 salsas and foxtrots, it was Carney and Gu's night as they topped the public vote.

"My sincere thanks go 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, dream big and be confident and never give up."

Other memorable moments on the night included most of the contestants of 2025 coming back for one more performance.

However, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had claimed earlier that the elimination process that saw him exit the show was rigged.

A spokesperson rejected the claim, saying the show's audience vote was "externally monitored and verified to ensure complete fairness".

The boyband Five also performed a string of their hits during the finale.

Tess and Claudia's 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 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 hosting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with feeling as they signed off.

During the televised event, 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: "I have often thought that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about relationships: 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 partnership of all.

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

Daly and Winkleman's final show will be the holiday episode, which is broadcast on 25 December.