🔗 Share this article Strictly Winners Crowned in Glitzy Grand Final This article reveals the result of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 championship. Watch: Scene Strictly Come Dancing 2025 winners are crowned Former England footballer Karen Carney has been named this year's Strictly winner, becoming the first professional soccer player to win the coveted trophy. She beat Love Islander Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after winning the public vote in Saturday's live final. Carney, who was dancing with pro partner Carlos Gu, remarked: "It's unbelievable, it's been the greatest privilege," before adding she was "speechless". It was an poignant night in the studio, 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 bid farewell to Strictly Come Dancing In a note presented by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, compassion and sheer happiness" had been at the heart of the show's popularity, adding: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly brilliant". Karen Carney and Carlos Gu with the championship 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 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 final decision. Carney and Gu executed dances 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 standing ovation - and their second perfect score of the night. Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin were the first couple to take to the stage in the final. But the victorious duo faced strong rivalry from the other remaining couples. Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to take to the stage. The couple performed dances 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'. In another performance, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr reprised their Paso Doble to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle. They also did their show dance to 'Human' by The Killers, and a classical waltz to 'Somebody to Love' by Queen. But after weeks of ballroom dances, it was Carney and Gu's night as they won 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 young people watching at home, dream big and be confident and never give up." Influencer George Clarke and Alexis Warr chose to revisit their favourite dance from the series, a Paso Doble to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle. Other memorable moments on the night included most of the contestants of 2025 coming back for one more routine. However, online figure Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had claimed earlier that the vote that saw him exit the show was rigged. A representative denied the allegation, saying the show's public vote was "independently overseen and checked to ensure total accuracy". The group Five also performed a string of their popular songs during the finale. Tess and Claudia's Last Show A photo from the emotional final hosting by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. In October, 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 first series 21 years ago. Winkleman came on board in 2014, having hosted 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 live broadcast, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were recorded notes from TV cook 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 struggles overcome and the happiness experienced in undertaking a shared endeavour. "If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly pairing of all. "The warmth, care and sheer happiness you have projected with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's appeal." Daly and Winkleman's final appearance will be the Christmas special, which is broadcast on 25 December.
This article reveals the result of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 championship. Watch: Scene Strictly Come Dancing 2025 winners are crowned Former England footballer Karen Carney has been named this year's Strictly winner, becoming the first professional soccer player to win the coveted trophy. She beat Love Islander Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after winning the public vote in Saturday's live final. Carney, who was dancing with pro partner Carlos Gu, remarked: "It's unbelievable, it's been the greatest privilege," before adding she was "speechless". It was an poignant night in the studio, 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 bid farewell to Strictly Come Dancing In a note presented by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, compassion and sheer happiness" had been at the heart of the show's popularity, adding: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly brilliant". Karen Carney and Carlos Gu with the championship 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 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 final decision. Carney and Gu executed dances 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 standing ovation - and their second perfect score of the night. Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin were the first couple to take to the stage in the final. But the victorious duo faced strong rivalry from the other remaining couples. Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to take to the stage. The couple performed dances 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'. In another performance, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr reprised their Paso Doble to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle. They also did their show dance to 'Human' by The Killers, and a classical waltz to 'Somebody to Love' by Queen. But after weeks of ballroom dances, it was Carney and Gu's night as they won 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 young people watching at home, dream big and be confident and never give up." Influencer George Clarke and Alexis Warr chose to revisit their favourite dance from the series, a Paso Doble to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle. Other memorable moments on the night included most of the contestants of 2025 coming back for one more routine. However, online figure Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had claimed earlier that the vote that saw him exit the show was rigged. A representative denied the allegation, saying the show's public vote was "independently overseen and checked to ensure total accuracy". The group Five also performed a string of their popular songs during the finale. Tess and Claudia's Last Show A photo from the emotional final hosting by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. In October, 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 first series 21 years ago. Winkleman came on board in 2014, having hosted 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 live broadcast, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were recorded notes from TV cook 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 struggles overcome and the happiness experienced in undertaking a shared endeavour. "If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly pairing of all. "The warmth, care and sheer happiness you have projected with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's appeal." Daly and Winkleman's final appearance will be the Christmas special, which is broadcast on 25 December.