Strictly Come Dancing Winners Crowned in Spectacular Live Final

This article reveals the result of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing championship.

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

She beat reality TV star Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after winning the public vote in Saturday's live final.

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

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

In a note presented by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, compassion and sheer joy" had been at the core of the show's success, adding: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly fab-u-lous".

Following tradition, 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 viewing audience 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 football-themed jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, garnering them a rapturous reception - and their second full marks of the night.

But the victorious pair faced strong rivalry from the other competing couples.

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

The pair delivered dances including a freestyle 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'.

Meanwhile, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr performed again their Paso Doble to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle.

They also did their freestyle routine 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 backed our journey, and supported us," said Carney.

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

Other memorable moments on the night included the majority of the cast of 2025 coming back for one more routine.

Yet, online figure Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had alleged earlier that the elimination process that saw him exit the show was unfair.

A representative denied the allegation, saying the show's audience vote was "independently overseen and checked to ensure complete fairness".

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

Tess and Claudia's Last Final

Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise announcement 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 joined in 2014, having hosted 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 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 said: "It has often seemed to me that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about relationships: the bonds forged, the struggles conquered and the joy shared in undertaking a shared challenge.

"Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly pairing 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 show will be the Christmas special, which is broadcast on 25 December.