🔗 Share this article Strictly Come Dancing Champions Announced in Glitzy Grand Final This piece covers the result of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing championship. Watch: Scene Strictly Come Dancing 2025 winners are declared Former England footballer Karen Carney has been named this year's Strictly winner, becoming the first footballer to lift the coveted trophy. She beat reality TV star Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after securing the viewers' vote in Saturday's grand finale. Carney, who was paired with professional dancer Carlos Gu, said: "This is incredible, it's been the biggest privilege," 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 paying tribute to the long-running hosts. Hosts Tess and Claudia say goodbye to Strictly Come Dancing In a message presented by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, empathy and sheer happiness" had been at the core of the show's popularity, stating: "I think I speak for everyone 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 standing ovation. 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 final decision. Carney and Gu executed routines 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 rapturous reception - 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 victorious pair faced stiff 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 Spanish-inspired dance to 'Dream On' by Aerosmith, and a jive to 'Proud Mary'. In another performance, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr revisited their Paso Doble 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 ballroom dances, it was Carney and Gu's night as they topped the public vote. "I just want to say thank you to everybody that has backed our journey, and supported us," said Carney. Gu told her she had "been transformative," adding: "To the girls and boys watching at home, aim high and be confident and never give up." Social media star George Clarke and Alexis Warr chose to repeat their favourite dance from the series, a Paso Doble to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle. Other highlights on the night included most of the contestants of 2025 returning for one more performance. However, online figure Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had claimed earlier that the vote that saw him leave the show was rigged. A spokesperson denied the claim, saying the show's public vote was "independently overseen and verified to ensure complete accuracy". The boyband Five also performed a selection of their popular songs during the grand final. Tess and Claudia's Last Show A photo from the historic final presentation by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the shock revelation that they would be leaving their roles at the end of this year's series. Daly has presented since the first 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 hosting a Strictly final, and both were full of emotion as they signed off. During the televised event, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were messages from celebrity chef Mary Berry, members of the production team and fans 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 created, the challenges conquered and the happiness experienced in undertaking a shared endeavour. "Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly pairing of all. "The kindness, care and sheer joy 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 airs on 25 December.
This piece covers the result of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing championship. Watch: Scene Strictly Come Dancing 2025 winners are declared Former England footballer Karen Carney has been named this year's Strictly winner, becoming the first footballer to lift the coveted trophy. She beat reality TV star Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after securing the viewers' vote in Saturday's grand finale. Carney, who was paired with professional dancer Carlos Gu, said: "This is incredible, it's been the biggest privilege," 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 paying tribute to the long-running hosts. Hosts Tess and Claudia say goodbye to Strictly Come Dancing In a message presented by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "warmth, empathy and sheer happiness" had been at the core of the show's popularity, stating: "I think I speak for everyone 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 standing ovation. 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 final decision. Carney and Gu executed routines 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 rapturous reception - 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 victorious pair faced stiff 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 Spanish-inspired dance to 'Dream On' by Aerosmith, and a jive to 'Proud Mary'. In another performance, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr revisited their Paso Doble 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 ballroom dances, it was Carney and Gu's night as they topped the public vote. "I just want to say thank you to everybody that has backed our journey, and supported us," said Carney. Gu told her she had "been transformative," adding: "To the girls and boys watching at home, aim high and be confident and never give up." Social media star George Clarke and Alexis Warr chose to repeat their favourite dance from the series, a Paso Doble to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle. Other highlights on the night included most of the contestants of 2025 returning for one more performance. However, online figure Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had claimed earlier that the vote that saw him leave the show was rigged. A spokesperson denied the claim, saying the show's public vote was "independently overseen and verified to ensure complete accuracy". The boyband Five also performed a selection of their popular songs during the grand final. Tess and Claudia's Last Show A photo from the historic final presentation by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the shock revelation that they would be leaving their roles at the end of this year's series. Daly has presented since the first 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 hosting a Strictly final, and both were full of emotion as they signed off. During the televised event, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were messages from celebrity chef Mary Berry, members of the production team and fans 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 created, the challenges conquered and the happiness experienced in undertaking a shared endeavour. "Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly pairing of all. "The kindness, care and sheer joy 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 airs on 25 December.