Strictly Come Dancing Champions Crowned in Glitzy Grand Finale

This piece covers the outcome of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing championship.

Ex- Lioness Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly champion, emerging as the first footballer to claim the glitterball trophy.

She defeated Love Islander Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after securing the public vote in Saturday's grand finale.

Carney, who was dancing with professional dancer Carlos Gu, stated: "This is incredible, it's been the greatest honour," before adding she was "speechless".

It was an emotional night in the ballroom, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the final occasion - with Queen Camilla 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 "kindness, compassion and sheer happiness" had been at the heart of the show's success, stating: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly wonderful".

Following tradition, 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 show dance.

The judges gave advisory scores but the viewing audience made the ultimate choice.

Carney and Gu executed dances including a show dance to 'Inner Smile' by Texas, and an Argentine 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 standing ovation - and their second full marks of the night.

But the victorious duo faced strong rivalry from the other competing couples.

Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to take to 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 upbeat dance to 'Proud Mary'.

In another performance, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr reprised their dramatic dance 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 ballroom dances, it was Carney and Gu's night as they topped the public vote.

"My sincere thanks go to everybody that has supported 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 coming back for one more performance.

Yet, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had alleged earlier that the vote that saw him leave the show was unfair.

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

The group Five also performed a string of their hits during the grand final.

The Hosts' Last Show

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

Daly has presented since the inaugural series 21 years ago. Winkleman joined in 2014, having hosted Strictly's companion program It Takes Two since 2004.

This was their last time hosting 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 read: "I have often thought that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about relationships: the bonds forged, the challenges overcome 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 kindness, compassion and pure joy you have projected with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's appeal."

Daly and Winkleman's final appearance will be the holiday episode, which airs on 25 December.