Strictly Winners Announced in Glitzy Live Final

This report details the outcome of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 final.

Former Lioness Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly Come Dancing winner, emerging as the first professional soccer player to lift the glitterball trophy.

She defeated reality TV star Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after winning the audience vote in Saturday's live final.

Carney, who was dancing with professional dancer Carlos Gu, stated: "I can't believe it, it's been the biggest privilege," before saying she was "lost for words".

It was an poignant night in the ballroom, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the final occasion - with Queen Camilla among those offering praise to the veteran hosts.

In a note presented 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, stating: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly brilliant".

Following tradition, one of the dances in the grand finale 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 performed routines 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 football-themed jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, earning them a standing ovation - and their second full marks of the night.

But the victorious duo faced strong competition from the other competing couples.

Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to take to the stage.

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'.

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 won the public vote.

"I just want to say thank you to everybody that has supported our experience, and supported us," said Carney.

Gu told her she had "changed my life," adding: "To the young people watching at home, dream big and be confident and never give up."

Other highlights on the night included most of the cast of 2025 coming back for one more routine.

Yet, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had claimed earlier that the vote that saw him leave the show was unfair.

A spokesperson denied the claim, saying the show's public vote was "externally monitored and verified to ensure complete accuracy".

The boyband Five also performed a string of their popular songs during the finale.

Tess and Claudia's Last Final

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 inaugural series 21 years ago. Winkleman joined 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 overcome with feeling as they said their goodbyes.

During the live broadcast, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were recorded notes 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 friendships: the bonds forged, the struggles conquered and the joy shared in undertaking a shared challenge.

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

"The warmth, care and pure joy you have projected 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 Christmas special, which airs on 25 December.