Strictly Winners Announced in Spectacular Grand Finale
This report details the result of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 culminating event.
Ex- England footballer Karen Carney has been named this year's Strictly winner, becoming the first footballer to lift the coveted trophy.
She defeated reality TV star Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after securing the audience vote in Saturday's grand finale.
Carney, who was paired with professional dancer Carlos Gu, said: "This is incredible, it's been the greatest privilege," before saying she was "lost for words".
It was an heartfelt night in the ballroom, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the final occasion - with Queen Camilla among those paying tribute to the veteran hosts.
In a message presented by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, empathy and sheer joy" had been at the core of the show's success, stating: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly fab-u-lous".
As usual, one of the dances in the final show was chosen by the judges, one was their own favourite dance from the competition, and the other was a freestyle routine.
The judges gave guidance scores but the public made the ultimate choice.
Carney and Gu executed dances 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, earning them a rapturous reception - and their second perfect score of the night.
But the winning duo faced strong competition from the other remaining couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to grace the dance floor.
The couple delivered routines including a freestyle 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 performed again their Paso Doble 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 ballroom dances, it was Carney and Gu's night as they topped the public vote.
"I just want to say thank you to everybody that has supported our journey, and supported us," said Carney.
Gu told her she had "changed my life," commenting: "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 routine.
Yet, online figure Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had alleged earlier that the vote that saw him leave the show was unfair.
A spokesperson rejected the claim, saying the show's audience vote was "externally monitored and checked to ensure total fairness".
The boyband Five also performed a string of their popular songs during the finale.
The Hosts' Final Show
Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the shock revelation that they would be stepping down at the end of this year's series.
Daly has hosted 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 final time hosting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with feeling as they signed off.
During the live broadcast, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were messages from celebrity chef Mary Berry, members of the production team and devotees of the show.
The Queen's message read: "I have often thought that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about relationships: the bonds forged, the struggles conquered 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, care and pure happiness you have projected with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's success."
Daly and Winkleman's last ever appearance will be the Christmas special, which is broadcast on 25 December.