Strictly Champions Crowned in Spectacular Live Final

This article reveals the conclusion of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing culminating event.

Former England footballer Karen Carney has been named this year's Strictly winner, becoming the first professional soccer player to lift the coveted trophy.

She overcame Love Islander 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, said: "It's unbelievable, it's been the biggest privilege," before adding she was "speechless".

It was an poignant night in the studio, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the last time - with Queen Camilla among those offering praise to the long-running hosts.

In a message read out by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, empathy and sheer joy" had been at the heart of the show's success, adding: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly wonderful".

Following tradition, one of the dances in the final show was selected by the judges, one was their own favourite dance from the series, and the other was a freestyle routine.

The judges gave advisory scores but the public made the ultimate choice.

Carney and Gu performed dances 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.

But the winning duo faced strong rivalry from the other remaining couples.

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

The pair 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 jive to 'Proud Mary'.

In another performance, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr performed again 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 salsas and foxtrots, it was Carney and Gu's night as they topped the viewer poll.

"My sincere thanks go to everybody that has supported our journey, 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 proud and never give up."

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

Yet, online figure Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had claimed earlier that the elimination process that saw him leave the show was rigged.

A spokesperson rejected the claim, saying the show's audience vote was "independently overseen and checked to ensure total fairness".

The group Five also performed a string of their hits during the finale.

Tess and Claudia's Final Show

In October, Daly and Winkleman made the shock revelation that they would be leaving their roles at the end of this year's series.

Daly has presented since the inaugural series 21 years ago. Winkleman came on board in 2014, having fronted Strictly's sister show It Takes Two since 2004.

This was their last time hosting a Strictly final, and both were full of feeling as they signed off.

During the televised event, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were recorded notes from TV cook Mary Berry, members of the crew 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 friendships: the connections forged, the struggles overcome and the joy shared in undertaking a joint challenge.

"Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly partnership of all.

"The kindness, compassion and pure happiness 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 holiday episode, which is broadcast on 25 December.