đź”— Share this article Strictly Come Dancing Winners Announced in Glitzy Live Final This report details the outcome of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 championship. View: Scene Strictly 2025 victors are crowned Ex- Lioness Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly Come Dancing winner, emerging as the first professional soccer player to lift the coveted trophy. She overcame reality TV star Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after winning the viewers' vote in Saturday's grand finale. Carney, who was paired with pro partner Carlos Gu, remarked: "I can't believe it, it's been the greatest privilege," before adding she was "lost for words". It was an poignant night in the studio, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the final occasion - with the Queen 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 "warmth, empathy and sheer joy" had been at the core of the show's popularity, stating: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly brilliant". Karen Carney and Carlos Gu with the glitterball trophy - their football-themed jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie earned them a rapturous applause. Following tradition, one of the dances in the grand finale was selected by the judges, one was their own preferred dance from the series, and the other was a show dance. The judges gave advisory scores but the viewing audience 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 standing ovation - and their second full marks of the night. Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin were the first couple to step onto the dance floor in the final. But the victorious duo faced fierce competition from the other remaining couples. Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to take to the dance floor. The couple performed dances 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 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 viewer poll. "My sincere thanks go to everybody that has backed our journey, and supported us," said Carney. Gu told her she had "changed my life," commenting: "To the young people watching at home, aim high and be confident and never give up." Influencer George Clarke and Alexis Warr opted to revisit their favourite dance from the series, a Paso Doble to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle. Other highlights on the night included the majority of the cast of 2025 coming back for one more routine. Yet, online figure Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had alleged earlier that the elimination process that saw him leave the show was rigged. A representative denied the claim, saying the show's audience vote was "independently overseen and checked to ensure total accuracy". The group Five also performed a selection of their hits during the grand final. Tess and Claudia's Final Final An image from the emotional final hosting by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise announcement that they would be leaving their roles at the end of this year's season. Daly has hosted since the first series 21 years ago. Winkleman joined in 2014, having hosted Strictly's sister show It Takes Two since 2004. This was their last time hosting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with feeling as they said their goodbyes. During the live broadcast, as well as the message from the Queen, there were recorded notes from celebrity chef Mary Berry, members of the production team and fans 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 bonds created, the struggles overcome and the happiness experienced in undertaking a shared endeavour. "If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly pairing of all. "The warmth, care and sheer happiness you have projected with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's success." Daly and Winkleman's final show will be the holiday episode, which airs on 25 December.
This report details the outcome of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 championship. View: Scene Strictly 2025 victors are crowned Ex- Lioness Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly Come Dancing winner, emerging as the first professional soccer player to lift the coveted trophy. She overcame reality TV star Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after winning the viewers' vote in Saturday's grand finale. Carney, who was paired with pro partner Carlos Gu, remarked: "I can't believe it, it's been the greatest privilege," before adding she was "lost for words". It was an poignant night in the studio, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the final occasion - with the Queen 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 "warmth, empathy and sheer joy" had been at the core of the show's popularity, stating: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly brilliant". Karen Carney and Carlos Gu with the glitterball trophy - their football-themed jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie earned them a rapturous applause. Following tradition, one of the dances in the grand finale was selected by the judges, one was their own preferred dance from the series, and the other was a show dance. The judges gave advisory scores but the viewing audience 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 standing ovation - and their second full marks of the night. Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin were the first couple to step onto the dance floor in the final. But the victorious duo faced fierce competition from the other remaining couples. Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to take to the dance floor. The couple performed dances 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 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 viewer poll. "My sincere thanks go to everybody that has backed our journey, and supported us," said Carney. Gu told her she had "changed my life," commenting: "To the young people watching at home, aim high and be confident and never give up." Influencer George Clarke and Alexis Warr opted to revisit their favourite dance from the series, a Paso Doble to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle. Other highlights on the night included the majority of the cast of 2025 coming back for one more routine. Yet, online figure Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had alleged earlier that the elimination process that saw him leave the show was rigged. A representative denied the claim, saying the show's audience vote was "independently overseen and checked to ensure total accuracy". The group Five also performed a selection of their hits during the grand final. Tess and Claudia's Final Final An image from the emotional final hosting by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise announcement that they would be leaving their roles at the end of this year's season. Daly has hosted since the first series 21 years ago. Winkleman joined in 2014, having hosted Strictly's sister show It Takes Two since 2004. This was their last time hosting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with feeling as they said their goodbyes. During the live broadcast, as well as the message from the Queen, there were recorded notes from celebrity chef Mary Berry, members of the production team and fans 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 bonds created, the struggles overcome and the happiness experienced in undertaking a shared endeavour. "If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly pairing of all. "The warmth, care and sheer happiness you have projected with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's success." Daly and Winkleman's final show will be the holiday episode, which airs on 25 December.