🔗 Share this article Strictly Winners Crowned in Spectacular Grand Final This piece covers the conclusion of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing final. View: Moment Strictly 2025 victors are crowned Ex- Lioness Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly winner, emerging as the first footballer to claim the coveted trophy. She overcame reality TV star Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after securing the viewers' vote in Saturday's live final. Carney, who was paired with professional dancer Carlos Gu, stated: "I can't believe it, it's been the greatest privilege," before saying she was "speechless". It was an poignant night in the ballroom, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the final occasion - with Queen Camilla among those paying tribute to the veteran hosts. Presenters Tess and Claudia say goodbye to Strictly Come Dancing In a note presented by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, empathy and sheer joy" had been at the core of the show's popularity, stating: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly wonderful". Karen Carney and Carlos Gu with the glitterball trophy - their football-themed jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie earned them a rapturous applause. As usual, one of the dances in the grand finale was selected by the judges, one was their own favourite dance from the series, and the other was a show dance. The judges gave guidance scores but the public made the ultimate choice. Carney and Gu performed routines including a show dance 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, garnering them a rapturous reception - and their second perfect score of the night. Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin were the opening couple to take to the dance floor in the final. But the victorious duo faced fierce rivalry from the other competing couples. Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to grace the dance floor. The pair delivered dances including a freestyle to 'Rain On Me' by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, a Spanish-inspired dance to 'Dream On' by Aerosmith, and a jive to 'Proud Mary'. In another performance, 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 classical waltz to 'Somebody to Love' by Queen. But after weeks of tangos, it was Carney and Gu's night as they topped the public vote. "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," commenting: "To the young people 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 powerful routine to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle. Other memorable moments on the night included most of the contestants of 2025 coming back for one more performance. However, online figure Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had alleged earlier that the elimination process that saw him exit the show was unfair. A spokesperson rejected the claim, saying the show's public vote was "independently overseen and verified to ensure total fairness". The boyband Five also performed a selection of their popular songs during the finale. The Hosts' Final Show An image from the historic final presentation by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. In October, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise revelation that they would be stepping down at the end of this year's series. Daly has hosted since the inaugural series 21 years ago. Winkleman came on board in 2014, having fronted Strictly's companion program It Takes Two since 2004. This was their last time hosting a Strictly final, and both were full of emotion as they said their goodbyes. During the live broadcast, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were recorded notes from celebrity chef Mary Berry, members of the production team and devotees 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 joy experienced in undertaking a joint challenge. "If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly pairing of all. "The warmth, care and sheer happiness you have radiated with and from each other has been at the centre of the show's appeal." Daly and Winkleman's last ever appearance will be the Christmas special, which airs on 25 December.
This piece covers the conclusion of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing final. View: Moment Strictly 2025 victors are crowned Ex- Lioness Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly winner, emerging as the first footballer to claim the coveted trophy. She overcame reality TV star Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after securing the viewers' vote in Saturday's live final. Carney, who was paired with professional dancer Carlos Gu, stated: "I can't believe it, it's been the greatest privilege," before saying she was "speechless". It was an poignant night in the ballroom, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the final occasion - with Queen Camilla among those paying tribute to the veteran hosts. Presenters Tess and Claudia say goodbye to Strictly Come Dancing In a note presented by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, empathy and sheer joy" had been at the core of the show's popularity, stating: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly wonderful". Karen Carney and Carlos Gu with the glitterball trophy - their football-themed jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie earned them a rapturous applause. As usual, one of the dances in the grand finale was selected by the judges, one was their own favourite dance from the series, and the other was a show dance. The judges gave guidance scores but the public made the ultimate choice. Carney and Gu performed routines including a show dance 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, garnering them a rapturous reception - and their second perfect score of the night. Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin were the opening couple to take to the dance floor in the final. But the victorious duo faced fierce rivalry from the other competing couples. Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to grace the dance floor. The pair delivered dances including a freestyle to 'Rain On Me' by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, a Spanish-inspired dance to 'Dream On' by Aerosmith, and a jive to 'Proud Mary'. In another performance, 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 classical waltz to 'Somebody to Love' by Queen. But after weeks of tangos, it was Carney and Gu's night as they topped the public vote. "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," commenting: "To the young people 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 powerful routine to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle. Other memorable moments on the night included most of the contestants of 2025 coming back for one more performance. However, online figure Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had alleged earlier that the elimination process that saw him exit the show was unfair. A spokesperson rejected the claim, saying the show's public vote was "independently overseen and verified to ensure total fairness". The boyband Five also performed a selection of their popular songs during the finale. The Hosts' Final Show An image from the historic final presentation by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. In October, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise revelation that they would be stepping down at the end of this year's series. Daly has hosted since the inaugural series 21 years ago. Winkleman came on board in 2014, having fronted Strictly's companion program It Takes Two since 2004. This was their last time hosting a Strictly final, and both were full of emotion as they said their goodbyes. During the live broadcast, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were recorded notes from celebrity chef Mary Berry, members of the production team and devotees 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 joy experienced in undertaking a joint challenge. "If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly pairing of all. "The warmth, care and sheer happiness you have radiated with and from each other has been at the centre of the show's appeal." Daly and Winkleman's last ever appearance will be the Christmas special, which airs on 25 December.