Strictly Champions Crowned in Spectacular Grand Final
This piece covers the conclusion of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing culminating event.
Ex- Lioness Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly champion, emerging as the first professional soccer player to claim the glitterball 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: "I can't believe it, it's been the greatest privilege," before saying she was "overwhelmed".
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.
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: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly fab-u-lous".
As usual, one of the dances in the final show 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 ultimate choice.
Carney and Gu executed routines 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 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 victorious pair faced strong rivalry from the other competing couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to take to the dance floor.
The pair delivered dances including a freestyle to 'Rain On Me' by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, a Paso Doble to 'Dream On' by Aerosmith, and a jive to 'Proud Mary'.
In another performance, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr reprised 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 tangos, it was Carney and Gu's night as they topped the viewer poll.
"I just want to say thank you to everybody that has supported our journey, and supported us," said Carney.
Gu told her she had "changed my life," adding: "To the girls and boys watching at home, dream big and be confident and never give up."
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 claimed earlier that the elimination process that saw him exit the show was unfair.
A spokesperson denied the claim, saying the show's public vote was "externally monitored and verified to ensure complete fairness".
The boyband Five also performed a string of their hits during the grand final.
The Hosts' Last Final
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 presented since the inaugural 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 presenting a Strictly final, and both were full of feeling as they said their goodbyes.
During the live broadcast, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were recorded notes from celebrity chef Mary Berry, members of the production team and devotees 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 relationships: the connections created, the struggles conquered and the joy experienced in undertaking a shared endeavour.
"Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly pairing of all.
"The kindness, compassion and sheer 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 airs on 25 December.
