Strictly Champions Announced in Spectacular Live Final

This report details the conclusion of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing culminating event.

Former Lioness Karen Carney has been named this year's Strictly champion, emerging as the first professional soccer player to win the glitterball trophy.

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

Carney, who was paired with professional dancer Carlos Gu, stated: "This is incredible, it's been the greatest privilege," before adding she was "overwhelmed".

It was an heartfelt night in the studio, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the last time - with the Queen among those paying tribute to the long-running hosts.

In a message presented by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, empathy and sheer joy" had been at the heart of the show's popularity, stating: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly brilliant".

As usual, one of the dances in the final show 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 performed dances 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 sports-inspired jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, garnering them a standing ovation - and their second perfect score of the night.

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

Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to take to the stage.

The pair performed dances including a show dance to 'Rain On Me' by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, a Spanish-inspired dance to 'Dream On' by Aerosmith, and a jive to 'Proud Mary'.

In another performance, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr performed again 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 ballroom dances, it was Carney and Gu's night as they won the viewer poll.

"My sincere thanks go to everybody that has backed our journey, and supported us," said Carney.

Gu told her she had "been transformative," adding: "To the girls and boys watching at home, aim high and be confident and never give up."

Other highlights on the night included most of the cast of 2025 returning for one more performance.

Yet, online figure Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had claimed earlier that the vote that saw him exit the show was rigged.

A representative rejected the claim, saying the show's public vote was "externally monitored and checked to ensure complete accuracy".

The boyband Five also performed a string of their hits during the grand final.

Tess and Claudia's Final Show

Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise revelation that they would be leaving their roles at the end of this year's season.

Daly has hosted 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 final time presenting 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 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 connections created, the challenges overcome and the happiness experienced in undertaking a shared endeavour.

"Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly pairing of all.

"The kindness, care and pure joy you have radiated with and from each other has been at the centre of the show's success."

Daly and Winkleman's final appearance will be the holiday episode, which is broadcast on 25 December.