Strictly Come Dancing Winners Announced in Glitzy Live Finale

This article reveals the conclusion of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing culminating event.

Former England footballer Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly winner, emerging as the first professional soccer player to win the glitterball trophy.

She overcame reality TV star Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after winning the audience vote in Saturday's live final.

Carney, who was dancing with pro partner Carlos Gu, stated: "It's unbelievable, it's been the greatest honour," before adding she was "overwhelmed".

It was an poignant night in the ballroom, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the final occasion - with the Queen among those paying tribute to the veteran hosts.

In a message read out by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, empathy and sheer happiness" had been at the heart of the show's popularity, stating: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly fab-u-lous".

As usual, one of the dances in the final show was selected by the judges, one was their own preferred dance from the series, and the other was a show dance.

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

Carney and Gu performed dances 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 perfect score of the night.

But the victorious duo faced fierce competition from the other competing couples.

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

The pair delivered 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 reprised 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 ballroom dances, it was Carney and Gu's night as they won the public vote.

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

Gu told her she had "changed my life," commenting: "To the young people watching at home, dream big and be confident and never give up."

Other memorable moments on the night included the majority of the cast of 2025 returning for one more performance.

Yet, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had alleged earlier that the elimination process that saw him leave the show was rigged.

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

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

The Hosts' Final Show

In October, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise revelation 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 joined in 2014, having hosted Strictly's companion program 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 televised event, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were messages from TV cook Mary Berry, members of the crew 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 created, the struggles conquered and the happiness experienced in undertaking a shared endeavour.

"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly pairing of all.

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

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