🔗 Share this article Strictly Champions Crowned in Spectacular Grand Final This article reveals the conclusion of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 championship. View: Moment Strictly Come Dancing 2025 victors are declared Ex- England footballer Karen Carney has been named this year's Strictly winner, becoming the first footballer to claim the coveted trophy. She defeated reality TV star Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after securing the audience vote in Saturday's live final. Carney, who was paired with professional dancer Carlos Gu, said: "I can't believe it, it's been the biggest privilege," before saying she was "overwhelmed". It was an emotional night in the ballroom, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the last time - with the Queen among those offering praise to the veteran hosts. Presenters Tess and Claudia bid farewell to Strictly Come Dancing In a note presented by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, 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 brilliant". Karen Carney and Carlos Gu with the championship trophy - their soccer-inspired jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie earned them a rapturous applause. As usual, one of the dances in the final show 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 viewing audience made the final decision. Carney and Gu executed 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, earning them a standing ovation - and their second perfect score of the night. Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin were the opening couple to step onto the dance floor in the final. But the victorious pair faced strong competition from the other competing couples. Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to grace the dance floor. The pair 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'. Meanwhile, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr performed again 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 salsas and foxtrots, it was Carney and Gu's night as they won the public vote. "My sincere thanks go to everybody that has supported our journey, and supported us," said Carney. Gu told her she had "been transformative," adding: "To the young people watching at home, aim high and be proud and never give up." Influencer George Clarke and Alexis Warr opted to repeat their signature dance from the series, a powerful routine to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle. Other memorable moments on the night included the majority of the contestants of 2025 returning for one more performance. Yet, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had claimed earlier that the elimination process that saw him leave the show was rigged. A representative denied the claim, saying the show's audience vote was "independently overseen and verified to ensure complete fairness". The boyband Five also performed a string of their popular songs during the grand final. The Hosts' Final Final A photo from the emotional final hosting by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. In October, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise revelation that they would be leaving their roles at the end of this year's series. Daly has hosted since the inaugural series 21 years ago. Winkleman joined in 2014, having hosted Strictly's sister show It Takes Two since 2004. This was their final time presenting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with feeling as they signed off. During the live broadcast, 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 friendships: the connections forged, the challenges conquered and the happiness experienced in undertaking a joint endeavour. "If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly pairing of all. "The warmth, care and sheer joy you have projected with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's appeal." Daly and Winkleman's last ever show will be the Christmas special, which airs on 25 December.
This article reveals the conclusion of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 championship. View: Moment Strictly Come Dancing 2025 victors are declared Ex- England footballer Karen Carney has been named this year's Strictly winner, becoming the first footballer to claim the coveted trophy. She defeated reality TV star Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after securing the audience vote in Saturday's live final. Carney, who was paired with professional dancer Carlos Gu, said: "I can't believe it, it's been the biggest privilege," before saying she was "overwhelmed". It was an emotional night in the ballroom, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the last time - with the Queen among those offering praise to the veteran hosts. Presenters Tess and Claudia bid farewell to Strictly Come Dancing In a note presented by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, 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 brilliant". Karen Carney and Carlos Gu with the championship trophy - their soccer-inspired jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie earned them a rapturous applause. As usual, one of the dances in the final show 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 viewing audience made the final decision. Carney and Gu executed 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, earning them a standing ovation - and their second perfect score of the night. Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin were the opening couple to step onto the dance floor in the final. But the victorious pair faced strong competition from the other competing couples. Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to grace the dance floor. The pair 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'. Meanwhile, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr performed again 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 salsas and foxtrots, it was Carney and Gu's night as they won the public vote. "My sincere thanks go to everybody that has supported our journey, and supported us," said Carney. Gu told her she had "been transformative," adding: "To the young people watching at home, aim high and be proud and never give up." Influencer George Clarke and Alexis Warr opted to repeat their signature dance from the series, a powerful routine to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle. Other memorable moments on the night included the majority of the contestants of 2025 returning for one more performance. Yet, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had claimed earlier that the elimination process that saw him leave the show was rigged. A representative denied the claim, saying the show's audience vote was "independently overseen and verified to ensure complete fairness". The boyband Five also performed a string of their popular songs during the grand final. The Hosts' Final Final A photo from the emotional final hosting by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. In October, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise revelation that they would be leaving their roles at the end of this year's series. Daly has hosted since the inaugural series 21 years ago. Winkleman joined in 2014, having hosted Strictly's sister show It Takes Two since 2004. This was their final time presenting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with feeling as they signed off. During the live broadcast, 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 friendships: the connections forged, the challenges conquered and the happiness experienced in undertaking a joint endeavour. "If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly pairing of all. "The warmth, care and sheer joy you have projected with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's appeal." Daly and Winkleman's last ever show will be the Christmas special, which airs on 25 December.