Strictly Champions Crowned in Spectacular Live Finale
This piece covers the outcome of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 championship.
Former England footballer Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly winner, becoming the first professional soccer player to claim the coveted trophy.
She beat Love Islander Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after winning the public vote in Saturday's live final.
Carney, who was paired with pro partner Carlos Gu, said: "It's unbelievable, it's been the biggest privilege," before adding she was "lost for words".
It was an poignant night in the studio, as presenters 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 message presented by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, empathy and pure happiness" had been at the heart of the show's popularity, adding: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly brilliant".
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 show dance.
The judges gave advisory scores but the viewing audience made the final decision.
Carney and Gu performed 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 football-themed jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, garnering them a standing ovation - and their second full marks of the night.
But the winning duo faced stiff rivalry from the other remaining couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to take to the stage.
The couple 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 upbeat dance to 'Proud Mary'.
In another performance, 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 classical waltz to 'Somebody to Love' by Queen.
But after weeks of salsas and foxtrots, it was Carney and Gu's night as they won the public vote.
"My sincere thanks go to everybody that has supported our experience, and supported us," said Carney.
Gu told her she had "been transformative," commenting: "To the girls and boys watching at home, dream big and be proud and never give up."
Other highlights on the night included the majority of the cast of 2025 coming back for one more performance.
Yet, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had claimed earlier that the elimination process that saw him leave the show was unfair.
A spokesperson rejected the claim, saying the show's audience vote was "independently overseen and verified to ensure total fairness".
The boyband Five also performed a selection of their popular songs during the grand final.
The Hosts' Last Final
In October, Daly and Winkleman made the shock revelation that they would be stepping down at the end of this year's season.
Daly has presented since the first series 21 years ago. Winkleman joined 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 full of emotion 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 crew and devotees of the show.
The Queen's message read: "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 shared in undertaking a joint endeavour.
"Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly partnership of all.
"The warmth, compassion and sheer joy you have projected with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's appeal."
Daly and Winkleman's last ever show will be the holiday episode, which airs on 25 December.
