Strictly Come Dancing Winners Announced in Spectacular Grand Finale

This article reveals the outcome of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 culminating event.

Former Lioness Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly winner, emerging as the first professional soccer player to lift the glitterball trophy.

She overcame reality TV star Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after winning the public vote in Saturday's live final.

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

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

In a note presented by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, compassion and sheer happiness" had been at the core of the show's success, stating: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly wonderful".

Following tradition, 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 show dance.

The judges gave guidance scores but the public made the final decision.

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 sports-inspired jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, earning them a rapturous reception - and their second perfect score of the night.

But the winning pair faced stiff rivalry from the other competing couples.

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

The pair performed dances including a freestyle 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 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.

"I just want to say thank you to everybody that has backed our experience, and supported us," said Carney.

Gu told her she had "been transformative," commenting: "To the young people watching at home, aim high and be proud and never give up."

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

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

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

The group Five also performed a string of their popular songs during the finale.

The Hosts' Last Show

In October, Daly and Winkleman made the shock revelation 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 fronted Strictly's companion program It Takes Two since 2004.

This was their final time hosting a Strictly final, and both were full of feeling as they signed off.

During the televised event, as well as the message from the Queen, there were messages 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 friendships: the bonds forged, the struggles overcome and the happiness experienced in undertaking a shared endeavour.

"Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly partnership of all.

"The warmth, compassion and pure happiness you have radiated with and from each other has been at the centre of the show's success."

Daly and Winkleman's last ever show will be the Christmas special, which is broadcast on 25 December.