Strictly Champions Crowned in Glitzy Live Finale

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

Ex- Lioness Karen Carney has been named this year's Strictly champion, emerging as the first footballer to lift the glitterball trophy.

She beat Love Islander Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after securing the public vote in Saturday's live final.

Carney, who was paired with professional dancer Carlos Gu, stated: "This is incredible, it's been the greatest honour," before saying she was "lost for words".

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

In a message read out by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, empathy and pure happiness" had been at the core of the show's popularity, adding: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly wonderful".

Following tradition, one of the dances in the final show was chosen by the judges, one was their own favourite dance from the competition, and the other was a freestyle routine.

The judges gave advisory scores but the viewing audience made the ultimate choice.

Carney and Gu executed 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 football-themed jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, garnering them a standing ovation - and their second perfect score of the night.

But the victorious pair faced stiff competition from the other competing couples.

Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to grace 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 upbeat dance 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 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 girls and boys watching at home, dream big and be proud and never give up."

Other memorable moments on the night included the majority of the cast of 2025 coming back for one more routine.

Yet, online figure Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had claimed earlier that the vote that saw him leave the show was rigged.

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

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

The Hosts' Last Final

In October, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise revelation that they would be stepping down at the end of this year's season.

Daly has hosted 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 final time presenting a Strictly final, and both were full of emotion as they said their goodbyes.

During the live broadcast, as well as the message from the Queen, there were recorded notes from celebrity chef Mary Berry, members of the crew and fans 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 connections forged, the struggles overcome and the happiness shared in undertaking a joint endeavour.

"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly pairing of all.

"The kindness, care and sheer happiness you have radiated with and from each other has been at the centre of the show's success."

Daly and Winkleman's final appearance will be the holiday episode, which airs on 25 December.