Strictly Come Dancing Champions Announced in Spectacular Grand Finale
This piece covers the conclusion of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing championship.
Former Lioness Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly champion, becoming the first professional soccer player to claim the glitterball trophy.
She defeated reality TV star 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, remarked: "It's unbelievable, it's been the biggest honour," before saying she was "lost for words".
It was an heartfelt night in the ballroom, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the final occasion - with the Queen among those paying tribute to the long-running hosts.
In a note read out 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 success, stating: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly wonderful".
Following tradition, one of the dances in the grand finale was selected by the judges, one was their own favourite dance from the series, and the other was a show dance.
The judges gave advisory 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 football-themed jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie, earning them a standing ovation - and their second perfect score of the night.
But the winning pair faced stiff rivalry from the other remaining couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to take to the stage.
The couple 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 jive to 'Proud Mary'.
Meanwhile, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr performed again 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 salsas and foxtrots, it was Carney and Gu's night as they topped the viewer poll.
"My sincere thanks go to everybody that has backed 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."
Other highlights on the night included most of the contestants of 2025 returning for one more routine.
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 allegation, saying the show's public vote was "externally monitored and checked to ensure complete accuracy".
The group Five also performed a string of their hits during the grand final.
The Hosts' Last Show
In October, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise announcement that they would be leaving their roles at the end of this year's series.
Daly has hosted 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 last time hosting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with emotion as they signed off.
During the live broadcast, as well as the message from the Queen, there were recorded notes 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 friendships: the bonds forged, the struggles conquered and the happiness shared in undertaking a joint endeavour.
"Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly pairing of all.
"The warmth, compassion and pure joy you have radiated with and from each other has been at the centre of the show's success."
Daly and Winkleman's final show will be the holiday episode, which is broadcast on 25 December.
