Strictly Come Dancing Champions Announced in Spectacular Live Final
This piece covers the conclusion of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing final.
Former Lioness Karen Carney has been named this year's Strictly champion, becoming the first footballer to lift the glitterball trophy.
She defeated Love Islander Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after securing the viewers' vote in Saturday's live final.
Carney, who was dancing with pro partner Carlos Gu, said: "I can't believe it, it's been the biggest privilege," before adding she was "speechless".
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 paying tribute to the veteran 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 success, stating: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly brilliant".
As usual, one of the dances in the grand finale was chosen by the judges, one was their own preferred dance from the competition, and the other was a show dance.
The judges gave guidance scores but the public made the ultimate choice.
Carney and Gu executed dances including a show dance to 'Inner Smile' by Texas, and an Argentine 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 standing ovation - and their second full marks of the night.
But the winning pair faced strong rivalry from the other remaining couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to grace the stage.
The pair 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 dramatic dance 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 tangos, it was Carney and Gu's night as they won the viewer poll.
"I just want to say thank you to everybody that has backed our journey, 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 confident and never give up."
Other memorable moments on the night included most of the contestants of 2025 returning for one more routine.
However, online figure Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had claimed earlier that the vote that saw him exit the show was rigged.
A representative denied the allegation, saying the show's public vote was "externally monitored and verified to ensure total accuracy".
The boyband Five also performed a string of their hits during the grand final.
Tess and Claudia's Last Show
Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the shock announcement that they would be stepping down at the end of this year's series.
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 said their goodbyes.
During the live broadcast, 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 said: "I have often thought 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 challenge.
"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly pairing of all.
"The warmth, care and pure joy you have radiated with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's appeal."
Daly and Winkleman's final appearance will be the holiday episode, which is broadcast on 25 December.
