Strictly Winners Crowned in Spectacular Grand Finale
This article reveals the outcome of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 culminating event.
Former England footballer Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly champion, emerging as the first professional soccer player to claim the coveted trophy.
She overcame Love Islander Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after securing the viewers' vote in Saturday's live final.
Carney, who was paired with pro partner Carlos Gu, remarked: "It's unbelievable, it's been the biggest privilege," before saying she was "overwhelmed".
It was an emotional night in the ballroom, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the final occasion - with Queen Camilla among those offering praise to the veteran hosts.
In a message read out by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, compassion and pure 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 wonderful".
As usual, one of the dances in the grand finale was chosen 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 ultimate choice.
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 football-themed jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, earning them a rapturous reception - and their second perfect score of the night.
But the winning pair faced strong rivalry from the other competing couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to take to the stage.
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 upbeat dance to 'Proud Mary'.
Meanwhile, 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 tangos, it was Carney and Gu's night as they topped the public vote.
"I just want to say thank you to everybody that has backed our journey, and supported us," said Carney.
Gu told her she had "been transformative," adding: "To the young people watching at home, dream big and be proud and never give up."
Other highlights on the night included the majority of the contestants of 2025 coming back for one more performance.
Yet, online figure Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had alleged earlier that the elimination process that saw him leave the show was unfair.
A spokesperson denied the claim, saying the show's public vote was "externally monitored and checked to ensure total fairness".
The group Five also performed a selection of their hits during the grand final.
The Hosts' Last Final
In October, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise revelation that they would be stepping down at the end of this year's series.
Daly has presented since the first 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 said their goodbyes.
During the televised event, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were recorded notes from celebrity chef Mary Berry, members of the crew and fans of the show.
The Queen's message said: "I have often thought that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about relationships: the bonds forged, the challenges overcome and the joy shared in undertaking a joint endeavour.
"If that is true, 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 success."
Daly and Winkleman's last ever show will be the holiday episode, which is broadcast on 25 December.