Strictly Champions Announced in Glitzy Live Final

This piece covers the outcome of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing championship.

Ex- England footballer Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly Come Dancing champion, becoming the first professional soccer player to claim the glitterball trophy.

She defeated Love Islander Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after securing the viewers' vote in Saturday's grand finale.

Carney, who was dancing with professional dancer Carlos Gu, stated: "This is incredible, it's been the greatest privilege," before adding 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 offering praise to the veteran hosts.

In a message read out by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, compassion and pure 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 brilliant".

Following tradition, one of the dances in the final show was selected by the judges, one was their own preferred 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 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 football-themed jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, garnering them a rapturous reception - and their second full marks of the night.

But the victorious duo faced fierce rivalry from the other remaining couples.

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

The pair performed routines 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'.

Meanwhile, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr performed again their dramatic dance 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 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 backed our journey, 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 proud and never give up."

Other highlights on the night included most of the contestants of 2025 returning for one more performance.

However, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had claimed earlier that the vote that saw him exit the show was unfair.

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

The boyband Five also performed a selection of their hits during the grand final.

The Hosts' Last Final

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

Daly has presented 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 emotion as they said their goodbyes.

During the televised event, as well as the message from the Queen, there were recorded notes from TV cook Mary Berry, members of the production team and fans of the show.

The Queen's message said: "I have often thought that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about relationships: the connections created, the challenges overcome and the happiness experienced in undertaking a shared endeavour.

"Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly pairing of all.

"The kindness, compassion and sheer happiness you have radiated with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's appeal."

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