Strictly Winners Announced in Glitzy Grand Finale
This piece covers the outcome of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 culminating event.
Former Lioness Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly winner, emerging as the first footballer to lift the glitterball trophy.
She overcame Love Islander Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after securing the audience vote in Saturday's live final.
Carney, who was dancing with pro partner Carlos Gu, stated: "I can't believe it, it's been the greatest privilege," before saying she was "lost for words".
It was an emotional night in the studio, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the last time - with Queen Camilla among those paying tribute to the veteran hosts.
In a note read out by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, compassion and pure happiness" had been at the heart of the show's success, adding: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly fab-u-lous".
As usual, one of the dances in the final show was selected by the judges, one was their own favourite dance from the competition, and the other was a freestyle routine.
The judges gave advisory scores but the public made the final decision.
Carney and Gu performed routines including a freestyle 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 standing ovation - and their second full marks of the night.
But the winning duo faced strong competition from the other competing couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to grace the dance floor.
The pair delivered 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'.
In another performance, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr revisited 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 salsas and foxtrots, it was Carney and Gu's night as they won the viewer poll.
"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 girls and boys watching at home, dream big and be proud and never give up."
Other highlights on the night included most of the cast of 2025 coming back for one more performance.
Yet, online figure Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had alleged earlier that the vote that saw him leave the show was unfair.
A representative denied the allegation, saying the show's public vote was "externally monitored and verified to ensure complete fairness".
The group Five also performed a selection of their popular songs during the finale.
Tess and Claudia's Last Final
Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the shock revelation that they would be stepping down at the end of this year's season.
Daly has hosted since the inaugural series 21 years ago. Winkleman came on board in 2014, having fronted Strictly's sister show 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 tribute from the Queen, there were messages from TV cook Mary Berry, members of the production team and devotees 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 connections forged, the struggles overcome and the happiness shared in undertaking a joint challenge.
"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly partnership of all.
"The kindness, compassion and pure joy you have radiated with and from each other has been at the centre of the show's success."
Daly and Winkleman's last ever appearance will be the holiday episode, which airs on 25 December.
