Strictly Come Dancing Winners Crowned in Spectacular Live Final

This article reveals the outcome of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 final.

Former Lioness Karen Carney has been named this year's Strictly winner, becoming the first professional soccer player to lift the coveted trophy.

She beat reality TV star Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after winning the public vote in Saturday's live final.

Carney, who was paired with professional dancer Carlos Gu, remarked: "It's unbelievable, it's been the greatest privilege," before saying she was "speechless".

It was an emotional night in the ballroom, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the last time - with the Queen among those paying tribute to the veteran hosts.

In a note read out by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, compassion and sheer joy" had been at the heart of the show's success, stating: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly brilliant".

Following tradition, 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 freestyle routine.

The judges gave guidance scores but the public made the ultimate choice.

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, garnering them a standing ovation - and their second full marks of the night.

But the winning pair faced stiff rivalry from the other remaining couples.

Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to take to the stage.

The pair delivered dances 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'.

Meanwhile, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr performed again their dramatic dance 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 ballroom dances, it was Carney and Gu's night as they won the viewer poll.

"I just want to say thank you 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, dream big and be confident and never give up."

Other memorable moments on the night included the majority of the contestants of 2025 coming back for one more performance.

However, online figure Thomas Skinner did not attend. He had claimed earlier that the vote that saw him exit the show was unfair.

A representative denied the claim, saying the show's public vote was "independently overseen and verified to ensure complete fairness".

The boyband Five also performed a selection of their popular songs during the finale.

The Hosts' Last Show

In October, Daly and Winkleman made the surprise revelation that they would be leaving their roles at the end of this year's season.

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 final time presenting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with feeling as they said their goodbyes.

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 connections created, the struggles conquered and the happiness shared in undertaking a joint endeavour.

"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly partnership of all.

"The kindness, 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 last ever appearance will be the holiday episode, which is broadcast on 25 December.