🔗 Share this article Strictly Champions Announced in Spectacular Live Final This piece covers the result of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 championship. View: Scene Strictly 2025 winners are declared Ex- England footballer Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly Come Dancing champion, becoming the first professional soccer player to win the coveted trophy. She overcame reality TV star Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after securing the viewers' vote in Saturday's live final. Carney, who was paired with professional dancer Carlos Gu, stated: "I can't believe it, it's been the greatest privilege," before saying she was "speechless". It was an emotional night in the studio, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the final occasion - with Queen Camilla among those offering praise to the long-running hosts. Hosts Tess and Claudia say goodbye to Strictly Come Dancing In a message read out by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, empathy and sheer joy" had been at the heart of the show's popularity, adding: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly brilliant". Karen Carney and Carlos Gu with the championship trophy - their soccer-inspired jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie earned them a standing ovation. As usual, one of the dances in the grand finale was chosen by the judges, one was their own preferred dance from the series, and the other was a freestyle routine. The judges gave advisory scores but the public made the final decision. Carney and Gu performed dances 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 rapturous reception - and their second perfect score of the night. Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin were the first couple to take to the stage in the final. But the victorious duo faced strong competition from the other competing couples. Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to grace the dance floor. The pair delivered routines 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 reprised their dramatic dance to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle. They also did their freestyle routine to 'Human' by The Killers, and a classical waltz to 'Somebody to Love' by Queen. But after weeks of tangos, it was Carney and Gu's night as they won the public vote. "My sincere thanks go to everybody that has supported our experience, and supported us," said Carney. Gu told her she had "changed my life," commenting: "To the girls and boys watching at home, aim high and be proud and never give up." Social media star George Clarke and Alexis Warr opted to repeat their signature dance from the series, a powerful routine to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle. Other highlights on the night included most of the contestants of 2025 coming back for one more routine. 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 representative denied the claim, saying the show's audience vote was "externally monitored and checked to ensure complete accuracy". The group Five also performed a selection of their popular songs during the finale. The Hosts' Final Show An image from the historic final presentation by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. Earlier this year, 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 joined in 2014, having hosted Strictly's sister show It Takes Two since 2004. This was their final time presenting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with emotion as they said their goodbyes. During the televised event, as well as the message from the Queen, there were messages from celebrity chef Mary Berry, members of the production team and devotees of the show. The Queen's message read: "I have often thought that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about friendships: the bonds created, the struggles overcome and the joy shared in undertaking a shared endeavour. "If that is true, 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 last ever show will be the Christmas special, which is broadcast on 25 December.
This piece covers the result of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 championship. View: Scene Strictly 2025 winners are declared Ex- England footballer Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly Come Dancing champion, becoming the first professional soccer player to win the coveted trophy. She overcame reality TV star Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after securing the viewers' vote in Saturday's live final. Carney, who was paired with professional dancer Carlos Gu, stated: "I can't believe it, it's been the greatest privilege," before saying she was "speechless". It was an emotional night in the studio, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the final occasion - with Queen Camilla among those offering praise to the long-running hosts. Hosts Tess and Claudia say goodbye to Strictly Come Dancing In a message read out by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, empathy and sheer joy" had been at the heart of the show's popularity, adding: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly brilliant". Karen Carney and Carlos Gu with the championship trophy - their soccer-inspired jive to 'One Way Or Another' by Blondie earned them a standing ovation. As usual, one of the dances in the grand finale was chosen by the judges, one was their own preferred dance from the series, and the other was a freestyle routine. The judges gave advisory scores but the public made the final decision. Carney and Gu performed dances 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 rapturous reception - and their second perfect score of the night. Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin were the first couple to take to the stage in the final. But the victorious duo faced strong competition from the other competing couples. Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to grace the dance floor. The pair delivered routines 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 reprised their dramatic dance to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle. They also did their freestyle routine to 'Human' by The Killers, and a classical waltz to 'Somebody to Love' by Queen. But after weeks of tangos, it was Carney and Gu's night as they won the public vote. "My sincere thanks go to everybody that has supported our experience, and supported us," said Carney. Gu told her she had "changed my life," commenting: "To the girls and boys watching at home, aim high and be proud and never give up." Social media star George Clarke and Alexis Warr opted to repeat their signature dance from the series, a powerful routine to 'Game of Survival' by Ruelle. Other highlights on the night included most of the contestants of 2025 coming back for one more routine. 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 representative denied the claim, saying the show's audience vote was "externally monitored and checked to ensure complete accuracy". The group Five also performed a selection of their popular songs during the finale. The Hosts' Final Show An image from the historic final presentation by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. Earlier this year, 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 joined in 2014, having hosted Strictly's sister show It Takes Two since 2004. This was their final time presenting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with emotion as they said their goodbyes. During the televised event, as well as the message from the Queen, there were messages from celebrity chef Mary Berry, members of the production team and devotees of the show. The Queen's message read: "I have often thought that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about friendships: the bonds created, the struggles overcome and the joy shared in undertaking a shared endeavour. "If that is true, 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 last ever show will be the Christmas special, which is broadcast on 25 December.