Strictly Come Dancing Winners Announced in Spectacular Live Final
This report details the conclusion of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing final.
Former England footballer Karen Carney has been named this year's Strictly Come Dancing winner, becoming the first professional soccer player to win the glitterball trophy.
She defeated Love Islander Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after winning the audience 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 saying she was "overwhelmed".
It was an heartfelt night in the ballroom, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the final occasion - with the Queen among those paying tribute to the veteran hosts.
In a message read out by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, compassion and pure happiness" had been at the core of the show's popularity, adding: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly wonderful".
Following tradition, one of the dances in the final show was chosen by the judges, one was their own preferred dance from the series, and the other was a freestyle routine.
The judges gave guidance scores but the public made the final decision.
Carney and Gu performed routines 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, garnering them a rapturous reception - and their second full marks of the night.
But the victorious duo faced stiff rivalry from the other competing couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to take to the dance floor.
The couple delivered routines including a show dance to 'Rain On Me' by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, a Paso Doble to 'Dream On' by Aerosmith, and a upbeat dance to 'Proud Mary'.
Meanwhile, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr reprised 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 ballroom dances, it was Carney and Gu's night as they won the viewer poll.
"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 girls and boys watching at home, aim high and be proud and never give up."
Other memorable moments on the night included most of the cast of 2025 coming back for one more routine.
Yet, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had alleged earlier that the vote that saw him leave the show was unfair.
A representative rejected the allegation, saying the show's audience vote was "independently overseen and checked to ensure total accuracy".
The group Five also performed a selection of their popular songs during the finale.
Tess and Claudia's Final Final
Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the shock announcement 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 recorded notes from TV cook Mary Berry, members of the production team and fans of the show.
The Queen's message read: "It has often seemed to me that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about friendships: the bonds created, the challenges overcome and the joy shared in undertaking a joint endeavour.
"Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly partnership of all.
"The warmth, compassion and pure happiness you have projected with and from each other has been at the centre of the show's appeal."
Daly and Winkleman's final appearance will be the Christmas special, which is broadcast on 25 December.
