🔗 Share this article Strictly Winners Announced in Glitzy Grand Final This piece covers the conclusion of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing final. View: Moment Strictly Come Dancing 2025 victors are crowned Former Lioness Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly winner, emerging as the first footballer to win the coveted trophy. She beat reality TV star Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after winning the audience vote in Saturday's grand finale. Carney, who was paired with professional dancer Carlos Gu, said: "I can't believe it, it's been the biggest honour," before saying she was "lost for words". It was an poignant night in the studio, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the last time - with Queen Camilla among those paying tribute to the veteran hosts. Presenters Tess and Claudia bid farewell to Strictly Come Dancing In a message 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 success, adding: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly fab-u-lous". Karen Carney and Carlos Gu with the championship trophy - their football-themed jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie earned them a standing ovation. Following tradition, one of the dances in the final show 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 ultimate choice. Carney and Gu performed 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, garnering them a rapturous reception - and their second full marks of the night. Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin were the opening couple to step onto the dance floor in the final. But the victorious duo faced fierce competition from the other competing couples. Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to grace the dance floor. The couple 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 upbeat dance to 'Proud Mary'. Meanwhile, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr reprised their dramatic dance 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 tangos, it was Carney and Gu's night as they topped the viewer poll. "My sincere thanks go to everybody that has backed our experience, and supported us," said Carney. Gu told her she had "been transformative," adding: "To the girls and boys watching at home, dream big and be confident and never give up." Social media star George Clarke and Alexis Warr opted to repeat 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 cast of 2025 returning for one more performance. However, online figure Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had claimed earlier that the elimination process that saw him exit the show was unfair. A spokesperson rejected the allegation, saying the show's public vote was "independently overseen and verified to ensure complete fairness". The group Five also performed a selection of their popular songs during the grand final. Tess and Claudia's Final Show An image from the historic final hosting by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise revelation that they would be stepping down at the end of this year's series. Daly has hosted since the inaugural 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 overcome with emotion as they signed off. During the televised event, as well as the tribute 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: "It has often seemed to me that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about relationships: the bonds forged, the challenges conquered and the happiness experienced in undertaking a joint challenge. "Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly partnership of all. "The kindness, 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 final appearance will be the Christmas special, which airs on 25 December.
This piece covers the conclusion of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing final. View: Moment Strictly Come Dancing 2025 victors are crowned Former Lioness Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly winner, emerging as the first footballer to win the coveted trophy. She beat reality TV star Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after winning the audience vote in Saturday's grand finale. Carney, who was paired with professional dancer Carlos Gu, said: "I can't believe it, it's been the biggest honour," before saying she was "lost for words". It was an poignant night in the studio, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the last time - with Queen Camilla among those paying tribute to the veteran hosts. Presenters Tess and Claudia bid farewell to Strictly Come Dancing In a message 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 success, adding: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly fab-u-lous". Karen Carney and Carlos Gu with the championship trophy - their football-themed jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie earned them a standing ovation. Following tradition, one of the dances in the final show 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 ultimate choice. Carney and Gu performed 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, garnering them a rapturous reception - and their second full marks of the night. Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin were the opening couple to step onto the dance floor in the final. But the victorious duo faced fierce competition from the other competing couples. Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to grace the dance floor. The couple 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 upbeat dance to 'Proud Mary'. Meanwhile, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr reprised their dramatic dance 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 tangos, it was Carney and Gu's night as they topped the viewer poll. "My sincere thanks go to everybody that has backed our experience, and supported us," said Carney. Gu told her she had "been transformative," adding: "To the girls and boys watching at home, dream big and be confident and never give up." Social media star George Clarke and Alexis Warr opted to repeat 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 cast of 2025 returning for one more performance. However, online figure Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had claimed earlier that the elimination process that saw him exit the show was unfair. A spokesperson rejected the allegation, saying the show's public vote was "independently overseen and verified to ensure complete fairness". The group Five also performed a selection of their popular songs during the grand final. Tess and Claudia's Final Show An image from the historic final hosting by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise revelation that they would be stepping down at the end of this year's series. Daly has hosted since the inaugural 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 overcome with emotion as they signed off. During the televised event, as well as the tribute 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: "It has often seemed to me that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about relationships: the bonds forged, the challenges conquered and the happiness experienced in undertaking a joint challenge. "Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly partnership of all. "The kindness, 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 final appearance will be the Christmas special, which airs on 25 December.