Strictly Come Dancing Winners Announced in Spectacular Live Final

This piece covers the outcome of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing culminating event.

Former Lioness Karen Carney has been named this year's Strictly Come Dancing winner, emerging as the first footballer to lift the coveted trophy.

She defeated 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 greatest privilege," before adding she was "lost for words".

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 long-running hosts.

In a note read out by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, empathy and pure happiness" had been at the core of the show's success, 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 final show was selected by the judges, one was their own favourite dance from the series, and the other was a show dance.

The judges gave advisory scores but the viewing audience made the final decision.

Carney and Gu performed dances including a freestyle to 'Inner Smile' by Texas, and an 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, earning them a rapturous reception - and their second full marks of the night.

But the winning pair faced strong competition from the other remaining couples.

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

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 reprised their Paso Doble 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 salsas and foxtrots, 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 "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 most of the cast of 2025 coming back for one more performance.

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

A spokesperson denied the allegation, saying the show's audience vote was "independently overseen and checked to ensure complete fairness".

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

The Hosts' Last 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 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 said their goodbyes.

During the televised event, as well as the message from the Queen, there were messages from TV cook Mary Berry, members of the crew and fans of the show.

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

"Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly partnership of all.

"The warmth, compassion and sheer joy you have projected with and from each other has been at the centre of the show's appeal."

Daly and Winkleman's last ever appearance will be the Christmas special, which is broadcast on 25 December.