Strictly Champions Crowned in Spectacular Grand Final
This piece covers the conclusion of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 final.
Ex- England footballer Karen Carney has been named this year's Strictly winner, emerging as the first professional soccer player to win the coveted trophy.
She overcame Love Islander Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after securing the audience vote in Saturday's live final.
Carney, who was dancing with professional dancer Carlos Gu, remarked: "This is incredible, 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 hosted the final for the last time - with the Queen among those offering praise to the long-running hosts.
In a note read out by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, empathy and sheer happiness" had been at the heart of the show's popularity, stating: "On behalf of all viewers when I say you have been utterly brilliant".
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 advisory scores but the viewing audience made the final decision.
Carney and Gu executed routines 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 standing ovation - and their second perfect score of the night.
But the victorious pair faced fierce competition from the other remaining couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to take to the stage.
The pair delivered dances 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'.
Meanwhile, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr reprised 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 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 "been transformative," adding: "To the girls and boys watching at home, dream big and be proud and never give up."
Other highlights on the night included most of the cast of 2025 coming back for one more performance.
However, online figure Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had claimed earlier that the elimination process that saw him leave the show was unfair.
A spokesperson rejected the allegation, saying the show's public vote was "independently overseen and verified to ensure complete accuracy".
The group Five also performed a selection of their popular songs during the grand final.
The Hosts' Final Show
Earlier this year, 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 hosted Strictly's companion program It Takes Two since 2004.
This was their last 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 TV cook Mary Berry, members of the production team and fans 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 bonds created, the struggles conquered and the joy shared in undertaking a shared challenge.
"If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly pairing of all.
"The kindness, compassion and sheer happiness you have projected with and from each other has been at the centre of the show's success."
Daly and Winkleman's final appearance will be the Christmas special, which is broadcast on 25 December.