🔗 Share this article Strictly Champions Announced in Spectacular Live Finale This piece covers the conclusion of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 championship. View: Moment Strictly 2025 winners are crowned Former England footballer Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly Come Dancing winner, becoming the first footballer to win the coveted trophy. She beat reality TV star Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after securing 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 privilege," before saying she was "lost for words". It was an heartfelt night in the ballroom, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the final occasion - with the Queen among those paying tribute to the veteran hosts. Presenters Tess and Claudia bid farewell to Strictly Come Dancing In a note presented by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, empathy and pure happiness" had been at the heart of the show's success, stating: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly fab-u-lous". Karen Carney and Carlos Gu with the glitterball trophy - their soccer-inspired jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie earned them a standing ovation. As usual, one of the dances in the grand finale was chosen by the judges, one was their own favourite dance from the series, and the other was a show dance. The judges gave advisory scores but the public made the ultimate choice. Carney and Gu performed dances including a freestyle 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 rapturous reception - and their second full marks of the night. Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin were the opening couple to take to the dance floor in the final. But the victorious pair faced stiff competition from the other remaining couples. Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to grace the dance floor. The couple delivered routines 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'. Meanwhile, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr reprised their Paso Doble 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 ballroom dances, it was Carney and Gu's night as they won the public vote. "I just want to say thank you to everybody that has backed our journey, and supported us," said Carney. Gu told her she had "changed my life," adding: "To the girls and boys watching at home, dream big and be proud and never give up." Influencer George Clarke and Alexis Warr opted to repeat their favourite dance from the series, a Paso Doble to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle. Other memorable moments on the night included the majority of the cast of 2025 returning for one more routine. Yet, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had claimed earlier that the vote that saw him exit the show was rigged. A spokesperson denied the claim, saying the show's audience vote was "independently overseen and checked to ensure total fairness". The group Five also performed a selection of their popular songs during the finale. Tess and Claudia's Final Show A photo from the historic final presentation by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. 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 hosted since the first series 21 years ago. Winkleman came on board in 2014, having hosted Strictly's companion program It Takes Two since 2004. This was their last time hosting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with emotion as they said their goodbyes. During the televised event, 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 read: "It has often seemed to me that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about relationships: the connections forged, the challenges conquered and the happiness shared in undertaking a shared challenge. "Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly partnership of all. "The kindness, care 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 show will be the holiday episode, which airs on 25 December.
This piece covers the conclusion of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 championship. View: Moment Strictly 2025 winners are crowned Former England footballer Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly Come Dancing winner, becoming the first footballer to win the coveted trophy. She beat reality TV star Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after securing 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 privilege," before saying she was "lost for words". It was an heartfelt night in the ballroom, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the final occasion - with the Queen among those paying tribute to the veteran hosts. Presenters Tess and Claudia bid farewell to Strictly Come Dancing In a note presented by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, empathy and pure happiness" had been at the heart of the show's success, stating: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly fab-u-lous". Karen Carney and Carlos Gu with the glitterball trophy - their soccer-inspired jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie earned them a standing ovation. As usual, one of the dances in the grand finale was chosen by the judges, one was their own favourite dance from the series, and the other was a show dance. The judges gave advisory scores but the public made the ultimate choice. Carney and Gu performed dances including a freestyle 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 rapturous reception - and their second full marks of the night. Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin were the opening couple to take to the dance floor in the final. But the victorious pair faced stiff competition from the other remaining couples. Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to grace the dance floor. The couple delivered routines 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'. Meanwhile, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr reprised their Paso Doble 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 ballroom dances, it was Carney and Gu's night as they won the public vote. "I just want to say thank you to everybody that has backed our journey, and supported us," said Carney. Gu told her she had "changed my life," adding: "To the girls and boys watching at home, dream big and be proud and never give up." Influencer George Clarke and Alexis Warr opted to repeat their favourite dance from the series, a Paso Doble to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle. Other memorable moments on the night included the majority of the cast of 2025 returning for one more routine. Yet, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had claimed earlier that the vote that saw him exit the show was rigged. A spokesperson denied the claim, saying the show's audience vote was "independently overseen and checked to ensure total fairness". The group Five also performed a selection of their popular songs during the finale. Tess and Claudia's Final Show A photo from the historic final presentation by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. 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 hosted since the first series 21 years ago. Winkleman came on board in 2014, having hosted Strictly's companion program It Takes Two since 2004. This was their last time hosting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with emotion as they said their goodbyes. During the televised event, 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 read: "It has often seemed to me that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about relationships: the connections forged, the challenges conquered and the happiness shared in undertaking a shared challenge. "Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly partnership of all. "The kindness, care 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 show will be the holiday episode, which airs on 25 December.