🔗 Share this article Strictly Champions Announced in Spectacular Live Finale This article reveals the conclusion of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 championship. View: Moment Strictly Come Dancing 2025 victors are declared Former England footballer Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly Come Dancing champion, becoming the first footballer to win the coveted trophy. She overcame Love Islander Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after winning the public vote in Saturday's live final. Carney, who was paired with pro partner Carlos Gu, stated: "This is incredible, it's been the greatest honour," before adding she was "lost for words". It was an emotional night in the ballroom, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the final occasion - with Queen Camilla among those offering praise to the long-running hosts. Presenters Tess and Claudia bid farewell to Strictly Come Dancing In a message presented by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, compassion and sheer joy" had been at the core of the show's success, adding: "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 rapturous applause. As usual, one of the dances in the grand finale was selected by the judges, one was their own preferred dance from the series, and the other was a show dance. The judges gave guidance scores but the viewing audience made the final decision. Carney and Gu executed dances 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 football-themed jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, garnering them a rapturous reception - and their second full marks of the night. Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin were the first couple to take to the dance floor in the final. But the winning pair faced stiff competition from the other remaining couples. Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to grace the stage. The couple delivered 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 upbeat dance to 'Proud Mary'. In another performance, 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 classical 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." Influencer George Clarke and Alexis Warr chose to repeat their signature dance from the series, a powerful routine to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle. Other highlights on the night included the majority of the cast of 2025 coming back for one more routine. However, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had alleged 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 verified to ensure complete accuracy". The boyband Five also performed a string of their hits during the grand final. Tess and Claudia's Last Show An image from the historic final hosting by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the shock announcement that they would be leaving their roles at the end of this year's season. Daly has presented since the inaugural series 21 years ago. Winkleman joined in 2014, having fronted Strictly's companion program It Takes Two since 2004. This was their last 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 messages from TV cook Mary Berry, members of the production team 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 relationships: the connections forged, the struggles conquered and the happiness shared in undertaking a joint challenge. "Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly partnership of all. "The warmth, 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 last ever appearance will be the holiday episode, which is broadcast on 25 December.
This article reveals the conclusion of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 championship. View: Moment Strictly Come Dancing 2025 victors are declared Former England footballer Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly Come Dancing champion, becoming the first footballer to win the coveted trophy. She overcame Love Islander Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after winning the public vote in Saturday's live final. Carney, who was paired with pro partner Carlos Gu, stated: "This is incredible, it's been the greatest honour," before adding she was "lost for words". It was an emotional night in the ballroom, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the final occasion - with Queen Camilla among those offering praise to the long-running hosts. Presenters Tess and Claudia bid farewell to Strictly Come Dancing In a message presented by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, compassion and sheer joy" had been at the core of the show's success, adding: "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 rapturous applause. As usual, one of the dances in the grand finale was selected by the judges, one was their own preferred dance from the series, and the other was a show dance. The judges gave guidance scores but the viewing audience made the final decision. Carney and Gu executed dances 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 football-themed jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, garnering them a rapturous reception - and their second full marks of the night. Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin were the first couple to take to the dance floor in the final. But the winning pair faced stiff competition from the other remaining couples. Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to grace the stage. The couple delivered 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 upbeat dance to 'Proud Mary'. In another performance, 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 classical 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." Influencer George Clarke and Alexis Warr chose to repeat their signature dance from the series, a powerful routine to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle. Other highlights on the night included the majority of the cast of 2025 coming back for one more routine. However, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had alleged 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 verified to ensure complete accuracy". The boyband Five also performed a string of their hits during the grand final. Tess and Claudia's Last Show An image from the historic final hosting by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. Earlier this year, Daly and Winkleman made the shock announcement that they would be leaving their roles at the end of this year's season. Daly has presented since the inaugural series 21 years ago. Winkleman joined in 2014, having fronted Strictly's companion program It Takes Two since 2004. This was their last 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 messages from TV cook Mary Berry, members of the production team 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 relationships: the connections forged, the struggles conquered and the happiness shared in undertaking a joint challenge. "Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly partnership of all. "The warmth, 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 last ever appearance will be the holiday episode, which is broadcast on 25 December.