π Share this article Strictly Winners Crowned in Spectacular Live Finale This piece covers the conclusion of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing championship. Watch: Scene Strictly Come Dancing 2025 victors are crowned 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 beat Love Islander Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after winning the viewers' vote in Saturday's live final. Carney, who was dancing with professional dancer Carlos Gu, stated: "It's unbelievable, it's been the greatest honour," before adding she was "lost for words". It was an poignant night in the studio, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the last time - with Queen Camilla among those paying tribute to the veteran hosts. Hosts Tess and Claudia bid farewell to Strictly Come Dancing In a message read out by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, empathy and pure happiness" had been at the heart of the show's success, adding: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly wonderful". Karen Carney and Carlos Gu with the glitterball trophy - their soccer-inspired jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie earned them a rapturous applause. As usual, one of the dances in the grand finale was selected by the judges, one was their own favourite dance from the competition, and the other was a freestyle routine. The judges gave guidance scores but the viewing audience made the ultimate choice. Carney and Gu performed dances including a show dance 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 standing ovation - and their second full marks of the night. Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin were the opening couple to take to the dance floor in the final. But the winning duo faced strong rivalry from the other remaining couples. Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to grace the stage. The couple performed dances 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 dramatic dance to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle. They also did their show dance to 'Human' by The Killers, and a classical waltz to 'Somebody to Love' by Queen. But after weeks of tangos, it was Carney and Gu's night as they won the viewer poll. "My sincere thanks go 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, aim high and be proud and never give up." Social media star George Clarke and Alexis Warr chose to revisit their favourite dance from the series, a powerful routine to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle. Other memorable moments on the night included most of the cast of 2025 coming back for one more routine. However, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had claimed earlier that the elimination process that saw him exit the show was unfair. A representative denied the allegation, saying the show's public vote was "independently overseen and verified to ensure complete accuracy". The group Five also performed a string of their popular songs during the grand final. Tess and Claudia's Last Final An image from the historic final hosting by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. In October, Daly and Winkleman made the shock revelation that they would be stepping down at the end of this year's season. Daly has hosted since the inaugural 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 recorded notes from TV cook Mary Berry, members of the crew and fans of the show. The Queen's message read: "It has often seemed to me that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about friendships: the connections created, the challenges conquered and the joy shared in undertaking a joint endeavour. "Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly partnership of all. "The warmth, care and pure 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 holiday episode, which airs on 25 December.
This piece covers the conclusion of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing championship. Watch: Scene Strictly Come Dancing 2025 victors are crowned 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 beat Love Islander Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after winning the viewers' vote in Saturday's live final. Carney, who was dancing with professional dancer Carlos Gu, stated: "It's unbelievable, it's been the greatest honour," before adding she was "lost for words". It was an poignant night in the studio, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the last time - with Queen Camilla among those paying tribute to the veteran hosts. Hosts Tess and Claudia bid farewell to Strictly Come Dancing In a message read out by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, empathy and pure happiness" had been at the heart of the show's success, adding: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly wonderful". Karen Carney and Carlos Gu with the glitterball trophy - their soccer-inspired jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie earned them a rapturous applause. As usual, one of the dances in the grand finale was selected by the judges, one was their own favourite dance from the competition, and the other was a freestyle routine. The judges gave guidance scores but the viewing audience made the ultimate choice. Carney and Gu performed dances including a show dance 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 standing ovation - and their second full marks of the night. Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin were the opening couple to take to the dance floor in the final. But the winning duo faced strong rivalry from the other remaining couples. Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to grace the stage. The couple performed dances 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 dramatic dance to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle. They also did their show dance to 'Human' by The Killers, and a classical waltz to 'Somebody to Love' by Queen. But after weeks of tangos, it was Carney and Gu's night as they won the viewer poll. "My sincere thanks go 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, aim high and be proud and never give up." Social media star George Clarke and Alexis Warr chose to revisit their favourite dance from the series, a powerful routine to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle. Other memorable moments on the night included most of the cast of 2025 coming back for one more routine. However, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had claimed earlier that the elimination process that saw him exit the show was unfair. A representative denied the allegation, saying the show's public vote was "independently overseen and verified to ensure complete accuracy". The group Five also performed a string of their popular songs during the grand final. Tess and Claudia's Last Final An image from the historic final hosting by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. In October, Daly and Winkleman made the shock revelation that they would be stepping down at the end of this year's season. Daly has hosted since the inaugural 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 recorded notes from TV cook Mary Berry, members of the crew and fans of the show. The Queen's message read: "It has often seemed to me that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about friendships: the connections created, the challenges conquered and the joy shared in undertaking a joint endeavour. "Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly partnership of all. "The warmth, care and pure 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 holiday episode, which airs on 25 December.