Strictly Champions Announced in Spectacular Grand Finale
This piece covers the result of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing championship.
Former Lioness Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly Come Dancing champion, becoming the first professional soccer player to claim the coveted trophy.
She beat reality TV star Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after winning the viewers' 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 biggest honour," before saying she was "speechless".
It was an poignant night in the studio, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the last time - with Queen Camilla among those offering praise to the veteran hosts.
In a message presented by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, compassion and pure happiness" had been at the heart of the show's success, adding: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly brilliant".
As usual, 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 public made the ultimate choice.
Carney and Gu performed routines 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 rapturous reception - and their second full marks of the night.
But the winning duo faced stiff rivalry from the other remaining couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to take to the dance floor.
The pair performed dances 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'.
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 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 journey, and supported us," said Carney.
Gu told her she had "changed my life," commenting: "To the girls and boys watching at home, aim high and be confident and never give up."
Other memorable moments on the night included most of the contestants of 2025 coming back for one more performance.
However, online figure Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had alleged earlier that the vote that saw him leave the show was unfair.
A representative rejected the allegation, saying the show's audience vote was "independently overseen and checked to ensure total accuracy".
The boyband Five also performed a selection of their hits during the grand final.
The Hosts' Final Show
Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise announcement that they would be leaving their roles at the end of this year's season.
Daly has presented since the first series 21 years ago. Winkleman joined 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 full of feeling as they said their goodbyes.
During the live broadcast, as well as the message 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 said: "I have often thought 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 greatest Strictly partnership of all.
"The warmth, compassion and pure happiness you have radiated with and from each other has been at the centre of the show's appeal."
Daly and Winkleman's final appearance will be the Christmas special, which is broadcast on 25 December.
