Strictly Come Dancing Winners Crowned in Spectacular Live Final

This piece covers the result of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing culminating event.

Former England footballer Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly winner, emerging as the first professional soccer player to win the glitterball trophy.

She defeated reality TV star Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after winning the viewers' vote in Saturday's live final.

Carney, who was paired with pro partner Carlos Gu, said: "I can't believe it, it's been the biggest privilege," before saying she was "overwhelmed".

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 paying tribute to the long-running hosts.

In a note read out by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, 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 wonderful".

Following tradition, one of the dances in the final show 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 final decision.

Carney and Gu executed dances 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, garnering them a standing ovation - and their second full marks of the night.

But the winning pair faced strong competition from the other competing couples.

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

The pair delivered routines 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 performed again their Paso Doble 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 ballroom dances, it was Carney and Gu's night as they topped the viewer poll.

"My sincere thanks go to everybody that has supported our experience, and supported us," said Carney.

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

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

However, online figure Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had alleged earlier that the elimination process that saw him leave the show was unfair.

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

The group Five also performed a selection of their popular songs during the grand final.

Tess and Claudia's Last Final

In October, Daly and Winkleman made the shock 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 came on board in 2014, having fronted Strictly's companion program It Takes Two since 2004.

This was their final time hosting a Strictly final, and both were full of feeling as they said their goodbyes.

During the televised event, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were recorded notes from celebrity chef Mary Berry, members of the crew and fans 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 bonds created, the struggles overcome and the happiness experienced in undertaking a shared endeavour.

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

"The warmth, compassion and pure happiness you have radiated with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's success."

Daly and Winkleman's final appearance will be the Christmas special, which is broadcast on 25 December.