🔗 Share this article Strictly Champions Crowned in Glitzy Grand Finale This article reveals the conclusion of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 championship. View: Moment Strictly Come Dancing 2025 winners are declared Former Lioness Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly winner, emerging as the first footballer to claim the coveted trophy. She overcame reality TV star Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after winning the public vote in Saturday's grand finale. Carney, who was dancing with professional dancer Carlos Gu, stated: "I can't believe it, it's been the greatest honour," before adding she was "overwhelmed". It was an emotional night in the ballroom, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the final occasion - with the Queen among those offering praise to the veteran hosts. Hosts Tess and Claudia bid farewell to Strictly Come Dancing In a message presented by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, empathy and pure happiness" had been at the heart of the show's success, stating: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly brilliant". Karen Carney and Carlos Gu with the glitterball trophy - their soccer-inspired jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie earned them a rapturous applause. As usual, one of the dances in the grand finale 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 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, earning them a rapturous reception - and their second perfect score of the night. Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin were the first couple to step onto the dance floor in the final. But the winning duo faced fierce rivalry from the other remaining couples. Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to take to the stage. The couple delivered routines including a freestyle to 'Rain On Me' by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, a Spanish-inspired dance to 'Dream On' by Aerosmith, and a upbeat dance to 'Proud Mary'. In another performance, 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 Viennese Waltz to 'Somebody to Love' by Queen. But after weeks of ballroom dances, it was Carney and Gu's night as they topped the viewer poll. "I just want to say thank you to everybody that has supported our experience, and supported us," said Carney. Gu told her she had "been transformative," adding: "To the young people watching at home, aim high and be proud and never give up." Social media star George Clarke and Alexis Warr chose to revisit 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 vote that saw him leave the show was unfair. A spokesperson denied the claim, saying the show's audience vote was "externally monitored and verified to ensure total fairness". The group Five also performed a selection of their hits during the grand final. The Hosts' Last Show A photo from the historic final presentation by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. 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 presented 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 overcome with feeling as they signed off. During the live broadcast, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were recorded notes from TV cook Mary Berry, members of the production team 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 friendships: the connections forged, the struggles overcome and the joy shared in undertaking a shared challenge. "If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly partnership of all. "The warmth, care and pure happiness you have radiated with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's success." Daly and Winkleman's last ever show will be the Christmas special, which airs on 25 December.
This article reveals the conclusion of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 championship. View: Moment Strictly Come Dancing 2025 winners are declared Former Lioness Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly winner, emerging as the first footballer to claim the coveted trophy. She overcame reality TV star Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after winning the public vote in Saturday's grand finale. Carney, who was dancing with professional dancer Carlos Gu, stated: "I can't believe it, it's been the greatest honour," before adding she was "overwhelmed". It was an emotional night in the ballroom, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the final occasion - with the Queen among those offering praise to the veteran hosts. Hosts Tess and Claudia bid farewell to Strictly Come Dancing In a message presented by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, empathy and pure happiness" had been at the heart of the show's success, stating: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly brilliant". Karen Carney and Carlos Gu with the glitterball trophy - their soccer-inspired jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie earned them a rapturous applause. As usual, one of the dances in the grand finale 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 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, earning them a rapturous reception - and their second perfect score of the night. Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin were the first couple to step onto the dance floor in the final. But the winning duo faced fierce rivalry from the other remaining couples. Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to take to the stage. The couple delivered routines including a freestyle to 'Rain On Me' by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, a Spanish-inspired dance to 'Dream On' by Aerosmith, and a upbeat dance to 'Proud Mary'. In another performance, 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 Viennese Waltz to 'Somebody to Love' by Queen. But after weeks of ballroom dances, it was Carney and Gu's night as they topped the viewer poll. "I just want to say thank you to everybody that has supported our experience, and supported us," said Carney. Gu told her she had "been transformative," adding: "To the young people watching at home, aim high and be proud and never give up." Social media star George Clarke and Alexis Warr chose to revisit 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 vote that saw him leave the show was unfair. A spokesperson denied the claim, saying the show's audience vote was "externally monitored and verified to ensure total fairness". The group Five also performed a selection of their hits during the grand final. The Hosts' Last Show A photo from the historic final presentation by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. 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 presented 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 overcome with feeling as they signed off. During the live broadcast, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were recorded notes from TV cook Mary Berry, members of the production team 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 friendships: the connections forged, the struggles overcome and the joy shared in undertaking a shared challenge. "If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly partnership of all. "The warmth, care and pure happiness you have radiated with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's success." Daly and Winkleman's last ever show will be the Christmas special, which airs on 25 December.