Strictly Champions Announced in Glitzy Live Finale
This piece covers the result of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing championship.
Ex- Lioness Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly Come Dancing winner, emerging as the first professional soccer player to claim the glitterball trophy.
She overcame reality TV star Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after winning the public 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 adding she was "speechless".
It was an poignant night in the studio, as hosts 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 message presented by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, empathy 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".
As usual, 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 guidance scores but the public made the ultimate choice.
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, earning them a standing ovation - and their second perfect score of the night.
But the winning duo faced strong competition from the other competing couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to take to the stage.
The couple performed dances including a show dance to 'Rain On Me' by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, a Paso Doble to 'Dream On' by Aerosmith, and a jive 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 tangos, it was Carney and Gu's night as they topped the public vote.
"My sincere thanks go to everybody that has backed 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 highlights on the night included most of the cast of 2025 returning for one more routine.
However, online figure Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had alleged earlier that the vote that saw him exit the show was rigged.
A representative rejected 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 hits during the finale.
Tess and Claudia's Last Show
In October, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise announcement 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 came on board in 2014, having hosted Strictly's companion program It Takes Two since 2004.
This was their final time presenting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with emotion as they signed off.
During the live broadcast, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were messages from celebrity chef Mary Berry, members of the crew 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 friendships: the bonds forged, the challenges conquered and the joy experienced in undertaking a shared endeavour.
"Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly partnership of all.
"The warmth, care and pure joy 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.
