Strictly Champions Crowned in Spectacular Live Finale

This article reveals the conclusion of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing championship.

Former Lioness Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly champion, emerging as the first professional soccer player to claim the coveted trophy.

She overcame Love Islander Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after winning the audience vote in Saturday's live final.

Carney, who was paired with professional dancer Carlos Gu, remarked: "It's unbelievable, it's been the greatest privilege," before adding she was "overwhelmed".

It was an emotional night in the studio, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the last time - with Queen Camilla among those offering praise to the veteran hosts.

In a note presented by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, compassion and pure happiness" had been at the core of the show's popularity, stating: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly brilliant".

Following tradition, one of the dances in the final show was chosen by the judges, one was their own favourite dance from the series, and the other was a freestyle routine.

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

Carney and Gu performed dances 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 sports-inspired jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, garnering them a rapturous reception - and their second full marks of the night.

But the victorious pair faced strong competition from the other competing couples.

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

The pair delivered 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'.

Meanwhile, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr revisited 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 tangos, it was Carney and Gu's night as they won the public vote.

"I just want to say thank you to everybody that has supported our experience, and supported us," said Carney.

Gu told her she had "been transformative," adding: "To the young people watching at home, dream big and be proud and never give up."

Other memorable moments on the night included the majority of the cast of 2025 coming back for one more performance.

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

A spokesperson rejected the claim, saying the show's public vote was "externally monitored and checked to ensure total accuracy".

The boyband Five also performed a selection of their popular songs during the grand final.

The Hosts' Last Final

In October, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise announcement that they would be leaving their roles at the end of this year's series.

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

This was their final time presenting a Strictly final, and both were full of feeling as they said their goodbyes.

During the televised event, as well as the message from the Queen, there were recorded notes from celebrity chef Mary Berry, members of the production team 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 friendships: the bonds forged, the challenges conquered and the happiness experienced in undertaking a shared challenge.

"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly partnership of all.

"The warmth, compassion and pure joy you have radiated with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's appeal."

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