Strictly Come Dancing Champions Crowned in Glitzy Live Final

This report details the result of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 culminating event.

Former Lioness Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly Come Dancing winner, becoming the first professional soccer player to win the glitterball 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, stated: "It's unbelievable, it's been the biggest honour," before adding she was "overwhelmed".

It was an poignant 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 veteran hosts.

In a note presented by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, empathy and pure happiness" had been at the core of the show's success, stating: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly brilliant".

Following tradition, 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 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, garnering them a standing ovation - and their second full marks of the night.

But the winning pair faced stiff competition from the other competing couples.

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

The pair performed 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 upbeat dance to 'Proud Mary'.

In another performance, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr revisited their dramatic dance 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 tangos, it was Carney and Gu's night as they topped the viewer poll.

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

Gu told her she had "been transformative," adding: "To the girls and boys watching at home, aim high and be proud and never give up."

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

However, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had alleged earlier that the vote that saw him leave the show was rigged.

A spokesperson denied the allegation, saying the show's audience vote was "externally monitored and checked to ensure complete fairness".

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

The Hosts' Final Final

In October, Daly and Winkleman made the shock revelation that they would be leaving their roles at the end of this year's series.

Daly has presented since the inaugural series 21 years ago. Winkleman joined in 2014, having fronted Strictly's sister show It Takes Two since 2004.

This was their last time hosting a Strictly final, and both were full of emotion as they said their goodbyes.

During the live broadcast, as well as the message from the Queen, there were messages from celebrity chef 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 friendships: the connections created, the struggles overcome and the happiness shared in undertaking a joint challenge.

"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly partnership of all.

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

Daly and Winkleman's final show will be the holiday episode, which is broadcast on 25 December.