Strictly Come Dancing Champions Announced in Glitzy Grand Final

This piece covers the conclusion of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing final.

Former England footballer Karen Carney has been named this year's Strictly champion, becoming the first footballer to win the coveted trophy.

She overcame Love Islander Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after winning the public vote in Saturday's grand finale.

Carney, who was paired with professional dancer Carlos Gu, said: "It's unbelievable, it's been the greatest honour," before saying she was "overwhelmed".

It was an poignant night in the ballroom, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the last time - with the Queen among those offering praise 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 popularity, stating: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly fab-u-lous".

As usual, one of the dances in the grand finale was selected 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 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 sports-inspired jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, garnering them a standing ovation - and their second full marks of the night.

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

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

The couple performed dances including a freestyle to 'Rain On Me' by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, a Paso Doble 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 won the public vote.

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

Gu told her she had "been transformative," commenting: "To the girls and boys watching at home, dream big and be confident and never give up."

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

Yet, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had claimed earlier that the elimination process that saw him exit the show was rigged.

A spokesperson rejected the allegation, saying the show's public vote was "externally monitored and checked to ensure complete fairness".

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

Tess and Claudia's Final Final

Earlier this year, 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 first series 21 years ago. Winkleman joined in 2014, having hosted Strictly's companion program It Takes Two since 2004.

This was their last time hosting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with feeling as they said their goodbyes.

During the televised event, 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: "It has often seemed to me that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about relationships: the bonds forged, the challenges conquered and the happiness experienced in undertaking a shared challenge.

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

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

Daly and Winkleman's final show will be the Christmas special, which airs on 25 December.