đź”— Share this article Strictly Champions Announced in Spectacular Live Final This article reveals the conclusion of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing championship. View: Scene Strictly Come Dancing 2025 winners are crowned Former England footballer Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly Come Dancing winner, becoming the first footballer to win the coveted trophy. She overcame Love Islander Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after winning the public vote in Saturday's grand finale. Carney, who was paired with professional dancer Carlos Gu, remarked: "This is incredible, it's been the greatest honour," before saying she was "overwhelmed". It was an poignant night in the ballroom, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the last time - with the Queen among those offering praise to the long-running hosts. Hosts 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 "warmth, empathy and pure happiness" 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 football-themed jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie earned them a standing ovation. Following tradition, one of the dances in the final show was chosen by the judges, one was their own preferred dance from the competition, and the other was a freestyle routine. The judges gave guidance scores but the public made the ultimate choice. Carney and Gu performed dances including a freestyle 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, garnering them a rapturous reception - 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 winning duo faced stiff rivalry from the other competing couples. Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to grace 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 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 show dance to 'Human' by The Killers, and a classical waltz to 'Somebody to Love' by Queen. But after weeks of salsas and foxtrots, 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 "been transformative," commenting: "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 powerful routine to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle. Other highlights on the night included the majority of the contestants of 2025 coming back for one more performance. Yet, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had claimed earlier that the vote that saw him exit the show was rigged. A spokesperson denied the allegation, saying the show's audience vote was "independently overseen and verified to ensure total accuracy". The group Five also performed a string of their hits during the finale. Tess and Claudia's Final Show A photo from the historic final hosting by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. In October, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise 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 joined in 2014, having fronted Strictly's sister show It Takes Two since 2004. This was their last time hosting a Strictly final, and both were full of emotion as they said their goodbyes. During the televised event, as well as the message 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: "I have often thought that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about relationships: the connections forged, the challenges overcome and the happiness experienced in undertaking a shared challenge. "If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly partnership of all. "The warmth, compassion and sheer happiness you have radiated with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's appeal." Daly and Winkleman's last ever appearance will be the Christmas special, which airs on 25 December.
This article reveals the conclusion of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing championship. View: Scene Strictly Come Dancing 2025 winners are crowned Former England footballer Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly Come Dancing winner, becoming the first footballer to win the coveted trophy. She overcame Love Islander Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after winning the public vote in Saturday's grand finale. Carney, who was paired with professional dancer Carlos Gu, remarked: "This is incredible, it's been the greatest honour," before saying she was "overwhelmed". It was an poignant night in the ballroom, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the last time - with the Queen among those offering praise to the long-running hosts. Hosts 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 "warmth, empathy and pure happiness" 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 football-themed jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie earned them a standing ovation. Following tradition, one of the dances in the final show was chosen by the judges, one was their own preferred dance from the competition, and the other was a freestyle routine. The judges gave guidance scores but the public made the ultimate choice. Carney and Gu performed dances including a freestyle 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, garnering them a rapturous reception - 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 winning duo faced stiff rivalry from the other competing couples. Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to grace 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 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 show dance to 'Human' by The Killers, and a classical waltz to 'Somebody to Love' by Queen. But after weeks of salsas and foxtrots, 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 "been transformative," commenting: "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 powerful routine to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle. Other highlights on the night included the majority of the contestants of 2025 coming back for one more performance. Yet, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had claimed earlier that the vote that saw him exit the show was rigged. A spokesperson denied the allegation, saying the show's audience vote was "independently overseen and verified to ensure total accuracy". The group Five also performed a string of their hits during the finale. Tess and Claudia's Final Show A photo from the historic final hosting by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. In October, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise 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 joined in 2014, having fronted Strictly's sister show It Takes Two since 2004. This was their last time hosting a Strictly final, and both were full of emotion as they said their goodbyes. During the televised event, as well as the message 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: "I have often thought that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about relationships: the connections forged, the challenges overcome and the happiness experienced in undertaking a shared challenge. "If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly partnership of all. "The warmth, compassion and sheer happiness you have radiated with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's appeal." Daly and Winkleman's last ever appearance will be the Christmas special, which airs on 25 December.