🔗 Share this article Strictly Champions Announced in Glitzy Live Finale This article reveals the outcome of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 final. Watch: Moment Strictly 2025 victors are declared Former England footballer Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly Come Dancing winner, emerging as the first professional soccer player to lift the coveted trophy. She beat Love Islander Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after winning the public vote in Saturday's live final. Carney, who was dancing with professional dancer Carlos Gu, remarked: "It's unbelievable, it's been the biggest honour," before saying she was "overwhelmed". It was an heartfelt night in the studio, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the final occasion - with the Queen among those paying tribute to the veteran hosts. Presenters Tess and Claudia say goodbye to Strictly Come Dancing In a note presented by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, empathy and sheer joy" 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 championship trophy - their soccer-inspired jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie earned them a rapturous applause. 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 show dance. The judges gave guidance scores but the public 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 standing ovation - and their second perfect score of the night. Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin were the opening couple to step onto the stage in the final. But the victorious pair faced fierce rivalry from the other competing couples. Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to grace the stage. The pair performed routines including a show dance 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 performed again their dramatic dance to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle. They also did their freestyle routine 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. "My sincere thanks go to everybody that has supported our journey, and supported us," said Carney. Gu told her she had "changed my life," adding: "To the young people watching at home, aim high and be proud and never give up." Influencer George Clarke and Alexis Warr opted to repeat their signature dance from the series, a powerful routine to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle. Other memorable moments on the night included the majority of the contestants of 2025 returning 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 representative rejected the claim, saying the show's public vote was "independently overseen and checked to ensure complete accuracy". The boyband Five also performed a selection of their popular songs during the finale. Tess and Claudia's Final Show A photo from the emotional final hosting by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise revelation that they would be stepping down at the end of this year's series. Daly has hosted since the inaugural 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 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 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 friendships: the bonds forged, the challenges conquered and the happiness shared in undertaking a shared challenge. "If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly pairing of all. "The kindness, compassion and sheer happiness you have radiated with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's success." Daly and Winkleman's final show will be the holiday episode, which airs on 25 December.
This article reveals the outcome of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 final. Watch: Moment Strictly 2025 victors are declared Former England footballer Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly Come Dancing winner, emerging as the first professional soccer player to lift the coveted trophy. She beat Love Islander Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after winning the public vote in Saturday's live final. Carney, who was dancing with professional dancer Carlos Gu, remarked: "It's unbelievable, it's been the biggest honour," before saying she was "overwhelmed". It was an heartfelt night in the studio, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the final occasion - with the Queen among those paying tribute to the veteran hosts. Presenters Tess and Claudia say goodbye to Strictly Come Dancing In a note presented by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, empathy and sheer joy" 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 championship trophy - their soccer-inspired jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie earned them a rapturous applause. 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 show dance. The judges gave guidance scores but the public 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 standing ovation - and their second perfect score of the night. Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin were the opening couple to step onto the stage in the final. But the victorious pair faced fierce rivalry from the other competing couples. Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to grace the stage. The pair performed routines including a show dance 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 performed again their dramatic dance to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle. They also did their freestyle routine 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. "My sincere thanks go to everybody that has supported our journey, and supported us," said Carney. Gu told her she had "changed my life," adding: "To the young people watching at home, aim high and be proud and never give up." Influencer George Clarke and Alexis Warr opted to repeat their signature dance from the series, a powerful routine to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle. Other memorable moments on the night included the majority of the contestants of 2025 returning 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 representative rejected the claim, saying the show's public vote was "independently overseen and checked to ensure complete accuracy". The boyband Five also performed a selection of their popular songs during the finale. Tess and Claudia's Final Show A photo from the emotional final hosting by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise revelation that they would be stepping down at the end of this year's series. Daly has hosted since the inaugural 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 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 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 friendships: the bonds forged, the challenges conquered and the happiness shared in undertaking a shared challenge. "If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly pairing of all. "The kindness, compassion and sheer happiness you have radiated with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's success." Daly and Winkleman's final show will be the holiday episode, which airs on 25 December.