Strictly Come Dancing Winners Announced in Glitzy Grand Finale

This piece covers the conclusion of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 culminating event.

Former Lioness Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly Come Dancing winner, emerging as the first footballer to claim the glitterball trophy.

She defeated Love Islander Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after securing the audience vote in Saturday's grand finale.

Carney, who was dancing with pro partner Carlos Gu, stated: "I can't believe it, it's been the greatest privilege," before adding she was "speechless".

It was an heartfelt night in the studio, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the last time - 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, compassion and pure joy" had been at the core of the show's popularity, adding: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly fab-u-lous".

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

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

Carney and Gu performed dances including a freestyle 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 rapturous reception - and their second full marks of the night.

But the winning pair faced strong competition from the other remaining couples.

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

The couple delivered dances including a freestyle 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 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 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, aim high and be confident and never give up."

Other memorable moments 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 rigged.

A spokesperson rejected the claim, saying the show's audience vote was "independently overseen and checked to ensure complete fairness".

The boyband Five also performed a selection of their popular songs during the grand final.

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 season.

Daly has presented since the first 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 presenting a Strictly final, and both were full of feeling as they said their goodbyes.

During the televised event, as well as the message from the Queen, there were messages from celebrity chef Mary Berry, members of the crew and fans of the show.

The Queen's message read: "It has often seemed to me that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about friendships: the connections created, the challenges overcome and the joy shared in undertaking a joint endeavour.

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

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

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