Strictly Come Dancing Winners Crowned in Glitzy Live Finale

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

Former England footballer Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly Come Dancing winner, becoming the first footballer 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, stated: "I can't believe it, it's been the biggest honour," before adding she was "speechless".

It was an emotional night in the studio, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the last time - with the Queen among those paying tribute to the long-running hosts.

In a note presented by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, compassion and sheer happiness" had been at the heart of the show's popularity, 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 chosen by the judges, one was their own favourite dance from the competition, and the other was a show dance.

The judges gave advisory scores but the public made the final decision.

Carney and Gu performed routines 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 perfect score of the night.

But the victorious pair faced stiff rivalry from the other competing couples.

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

The couple performed 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'.

Meanwhile, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr revisited their dramatic dance to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle.

They also did their freestyle routine 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 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 performance.

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

A representative denied the allegation, saying the show's public vote was "independently overseen and verified to ensure total fairness".

The boyband Five also performed a string of their popular songs during the grand final.

The Hosts' Final Final

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

Daly has presented since the first series 21 years ago. Winkleman joined 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 feeling 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 said: "I have often thought that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about relationships: the connections forged, the struggles overcome and the joy shared in undertaking a shared endeavour.

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

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

Daly and Winkleman's final show will be the holiday episode, which is broadcast on 25 December.