Strictly Come Dancing Winners Crowned in Spectacular Live Finale
This article reveals the outcome of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 final.
Ex- England footballer Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly winner, emerging as the first professional soccer player to lift the glitterball trophy.
She overcame reality TV star Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after winning the viewers' vote in Saturday's live final.
Carney, who was dancing with pro partner Carlos Gu, remarked: "I can't believe it, it's been the greatest honour," before adding she was "overwhelmed".
It was an emotional night in the studio, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the final occasion - with Queen Camilla among those paying tribute to the veteran hosts.
In a message read out by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, 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".
Following tradition, one of the dances in the grand finale was chosen by the judges, one was their own preferred dance from the competition, and the other was a show dance.
The judges gave guidance scores but the public made the final decision.
Carney and Gu performed 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 football-themed jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, earning them a rapturous reception - and their second perfect score of the night.
But the victorious pair faced fierce competition from the other competing couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to take to the stage.
The couple delivered 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 reprised their dramatic dance 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 viewer poll.
"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," commenting: "To the girls and boys watching at home, dream big and be confident and never give up."
Other memorable moments on the night included most of the cast of 2025 returning for one more performance.
However, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had alleged earlier that the vote that saw him exit the show was unfair.
A representative rejected the allegation, saying the show's public vote was "externally monitored and verified to ensure complete accuracy".
The boyband Five also performed a selection 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 joined in 2014, having hosted 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 signed off.
During the live broadcast, as well as the message 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 said: "It has often seemed to me that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about relationships: the connections forged, the challenges overcome and the happiness experienced in undertaking a joint endeavour.
"Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly partnership of all.
"The kindness, compassion and sheer happiness you have radiated with and from each other has been at the centre of the show's success."
Daly and Winkleman's final appearance will be the Christmas special, which airs on 25 December.