🔗 Share this article Strictly Come Dancing Winners Crowned in Glitzy Live Final This article reveals the result of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 culminating event. Watch: Moment Strictly Come Dancing 2025 victors are declared Former Lioness Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly winner, emerging as the first footballer to win the glitterball trophy. She defeated reality TV star Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after securing 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 saying she was "speechless". It was an emotional night in the ballroom, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the final occasion - with Queen Camilla among those paying tribute to the long-running hosts. Presenters Tess and Claudia say goodbye to Strictly Come Dancing In a note presented by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, compassion and sheer joy" had been at the heart of the show's popularity, adding: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly brilliant". Karen Carney and Carlos Gu with the glitterball trophy - their football-themed jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie earned them a standing ovation. Following tradition, 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 guidance scores but the viewing audience made the ultimate choice. Carney and Gu executed 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 football-themed jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, garnering them a rapturous reception - and their second full marks of the night. Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin were the first couple to step onto the stage in the final. But the winning duo faced stiff competition from the other remaining couples. Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first 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 jive to 'Proud Mary'. In another performance, 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 viewer poll. "I just want to say thank you to everybody that has supported our journey, and supported us," said Carney. Gu told her she had "been transformative," commenting: "To the young people watching at home, dream big and be confident and never give up." Influencer George Clarke and Alexis Warr chose to revisit their signature dance from the series, a Paso Doble to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle. Other memorable moments on the night included most of the contestants of 2025 coming back for one more routine. However, 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 public vote was "independently overseen and checked to ensure total accuracy". The group Five also performed a string of their hits during the grand final. Tess and Claudia's Last Show A photo from the historic final presentation by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise announcement that they would be stepping down at the end of this year's series. Daly has presented since the first series 21 years ago. Winkleman came on board in 2014, having hosted Strictly's sister show It Takes Two since 2004. This was their final time hosting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with emotion as they said their goodbyes. 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 fans of the show. The Queen's message said: "It has often seemed to me that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about relationships: the connections created, the challenges conquered and the joy shared in undertaking a shared challenge. "Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly pairing of all. "The kindness, compassion and pure happiness you have radiated with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's appeal." Daly and Winkleman's last ever appearance will be the Christmas special, which is broadcast on 25 December.
This article reveals the result of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 culminating event. Watch: Moment Strictly Come Dancing 2025 victors are declared Former Lioness Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly winner, emerging as the first footballer to win the glitterball trophy. She defeated reality TV star Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after securing 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 saying she was "speechless". It was an emotional night in the ballroom, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the final occasion - with Queen Camilla among those paying tribute to the long-running hosts. Presenters Tess and Claudia say goodbye to Strictly Come Dancing In a note presented by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, compassion and sheer joy" had been at the heart of the show's popularity, adding: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly brilliant". Karen Carney and Carlos Gu with the glitterball trophy - their football-themed jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie earned them a standing ovation. Following tradition, 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 guidance scores but the viewing audience made the ultimate choice. Carney and Gu executed 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 football-themed jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, garnering them a rapturous reception - and their second full marks of the night. Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin were the first couple to step onto the stage in the final. But the winning duo faced stiff competition from the other remaining couples. Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first 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 jive to 'Proud Mary'. In another performance, 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 viewer poll. "I just want to say thank you to everybody that has supported our journey, and supported us," said Carney. Gu told her she had "been transformative," commenting: "To the young people watching at home, dream big and be confident and never give up." Influencer George Clarke and Alexis Warr chose to revisit their signature dance from the series, a Paso Doble to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle. Other memorable moments on the night included most of the contestants of 2025 coming back for one more routine. However, 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 public vote was "independently overseen and checked to ensure total accuracy". The group Five also performed a string of their hits during the grand final. Tess and Claudia's Last Show A photo from the historic final presentation by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise announcement that they would be stepping down at the end of this year's series. Daly has presented since the first series 21 years ago. Winkleman came on board in 2014, having hosted Strictly's sister show It Takes Two since 2004. This was their final time hosting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with emotion as they said their goodbyes. 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 fans of the show. The Queen's message said: "It has often seemed to me that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about relationships: the connections created, the challenges conquered and the joy shared in undertaking a shared challenge. "Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly pairing of all. "The kindness, compassion and pure happiness you have radiated with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's appeal." Daly and Winkleman's last ever appearance will be the Christmas special, which is broadcast on 25 December.