🔗 Share this article Strictly Champions Crowned in Spectacular Grand Finale This piece covers the conclusion of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 final. View: Scene Strictly Come Dancing 2025 victors are declared Former England footballer Karen Carney has been named this year's Strictly Come Dancing winner, becoming the first professional soccer player to win the coveted trophy. She beat Love Islander Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after winning the public vote in Saturday's live final. Carney, who was paired with pro partner Carlos Gu, said: "I can't believe it, it's been the greatest privilege," before adding she was "overwhelmed". It was an poignant night in the studio, 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. Presenters Tess and Claudia say goodbye to Strictly Come Dancing In a message presented by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, empathy and pure joy" had been at the core of the show's popularity, adding: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly wonderful". Karen Carney and Carlos Gu with the championship trophy - their soccer-inspired jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie earned them a standing ovation. Following tradition, one of the dances in the grand finale was chosen by the judges, one was their own favourite dance from the competition, and the other was a freestyle routine. 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 rapturous reception - and their second perfect score of the night. Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin were the first couple to take to the dance floor in the final. But the winning duo faced fierce rivalry from the other competing couples. Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to grace the dance floor. The couple performed routines 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 salsas and foxtrots, it was Carney and Gu's night as they topped the public vote. "My sincere thanks go to everybody that has supported 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 proud and never give up." Social media star George Clarke and Alexis Warr opted to revisit their signature dance from the series, a powerful routine to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle. Other memorable moments on the night included most of the cast of 2025 returning for one more routine. Yet, online figure Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had claimed earlier that the vote that saw him exit the show was unfair. A representative rejected the claim, saying the show's public vote was "independently overseen and verified to ensure total fairness". The group Five also performed a string of their hits during the finale. The Hosts' Last Show An image from the emotional final presentation by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise revelation that they would be stepping down at the end of this year's season. Daly has presented since the inaugural series 21 years ago. Winkleman came on board in 2014, having fronted Strictly's companion program It Takes Two since 2004. This was their last time presenting a Strictly final, and both were full of feeling as they signed off. During the live broadcast, as well as the message from the Queen, there were messages from TV cook Mary Berry, members of the crew and fans 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 bonds created, the struggles conquered and the joy shared in undertaking a joint endeavour. "If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly partnership 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 last ever show will be the holiday episode, which airs on 25 December.
This piece covers the conclusion of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 final. View: Scene Strictly Come Dancing 2025 victors are declared Former England footballer Karen Carney has been named this year's Strictly Come Dancing winner, becoming the first professional soccer player to win the coveted trophy. She beat Love Islander Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after winning the public vote in Saturday's live final. Carney, who was paired with pro partner Carlos Gu, said: "I can't believe it, it's been the greatest privilege," before adding she was "overwhelmed". It was an poignant night in the studio, 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. Presenters Tess and Claudia say goodbye to Strictly Come Dancing In a message presented by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, empathy and pure joy" had been at the core of the show's popularity, adding: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly wonderful". Karen Carney and Carlos Gu with the championship trophy - their soccer-inspired jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie earned them a standing ovation. Following tradition, one of the dances in the grand finale was chosen by the judges, one was their own favourite dance from the competition, and the other was a freestyle routine. 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 rapturous reception - and their second perfect score of the night. Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin were the first couple to take to the dance floor in the final. But the winning duo faced fierce rivalry from the other competing couples. Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to grace the dance floor. The couple performed routines 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 salsas and foxtrots, it was Carney and Gu's night as they topped the public vote. "My sincere thanks go to everybody that has supported 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 proud and never give up." Social media star George Clarke and Alexis Warr opted to revisit their signature dance from the series, a powerful routine to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle. Other memorable moments on the night included most of the cast of 2025 returning for one more routine. Yet, online figure Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had claimed earlier that the vote that saw him exit the show was unfair. A representative rejected the claim, saying the show's public vote was "independently overseen and verified to ensure total fairness". The group Five also performed a string of their hits during the finale. The Hosts' Last Show An image from the emotional final presentation by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise revelation that they would be stepping down at the end of this year's season. Daly has presented since the inaugural series 21 years ago. Winkleman came on board in 2014, having fronted Strictly's companion program It Takes Two since 2004. This was their last time presenting a Strictly final, and both were full of feeling as they signed off. During the live broadcast, as well as the message from the Queen, there were messages from TV cook Mary Berry, members of the crew and fans 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 bonds created, the struggles conquered and the joy shared in undertaking a joint endeavour. "If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly partnership 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 last ever show will be the holiday episode, which airs on 25 December.