Strictly Come Dancing Champions Crowned in Spectacular Live Finale

This report details the conclusion of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing championship.

Ex- England footballer Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly champion, becoming the first footballer to lift the coveted trophy.

She beat Love Islander Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after winning the viewers' vote in Saturday's live final.

Carney, who was dancing with professional dancer 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 hosted the final for the last time - with Queen Camilla among those paying tribute to the long-running hosts.

In a message presented by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, compassion and sheer happiness" had been at the core of the show's success, stating: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly fab-u-lous".

As usual, one of the dances in the grand finale was chosen 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 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 football-themed jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, garnering them a rapturous reception - and their second perfect score 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 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'.

Meanwhile, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr revisited 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 salsas and foxtrots, it was Carney and Gu's night as they topped the viewer poll.

"I just want to say thank you to everybody that has backed our experience, 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."

Other memorable moments on the night included the majority of the cast of 2025 coming back for one more performance.

However, online figure Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had claimed earlier that the vote that saw him exit the show was unfair.

A representative denied the claim, saying the show's audience vote was "independently overseen and checked to ensure total accuracy".

The boyband Five also performed a selection of their hits during the finale.

Tess and Claudia's Final Final

Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the shock announcement that they would be leaving their roles at the end of this year's season.

Daly has presented since the first series 21 years ago. Winkleman joined 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 overcome with emotion as they signed off.

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: "I have often thought that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about relationships: the connections created, the struggles conquered and the happiness experienced in undertaking a joint challenge.

"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly partnership of all.

"The kindness, compassion and sheer 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 is broadcast on 25 December.