WATCH: The moment Strictly 2025 winners are crowned
This article reveals the results of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 final.
Former Lioness Karen Carney has been crowned this year’s Strictly Come Dancing winner, becoming the first footballer to lift the Glitterball trophy.
She defeated Love Islander Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke after winning the public vote in Saturday’s live final on BBC One.
Carney, who is paired with professional dancer Carlos Gu, said, “I can’t believe it; this is the biggest privilege and honour” before adding that she was “lost for words.”
It was an emotional night in the ballroom, as Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the last time – with Queen Camilla among those paying tribute to the long-running hosts.
Presenters Tess and Claudia say goodbye to Strictly Come Dancing
In a message read out by Judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said that Daly and Winkleman’s “warmth, compassion and sheer joy” were central to the show’s success, adding, “I think I speak for everyone when I say you’re absolutely brilliant.”
As usual, the grand finale featured a dance chosen by the judges, one of which was their favourite from the series, and the other was a show dance.
The public made the final decision, with the judges providing advisory marks.
Carney and Gu performed 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.
She also performed a football-themed jive to ‘One Way or Another’ by Blondie, which earned her a standing ovation – and her second-best score of the night.
But the winning pair had to face tough competition from the remaining pairs.
Amber Davis and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to take to the dance floor.
The pair performed routines including a show dance to Rain on Me by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, a paso doble to Dream On by Aerosmith, and a jive to Proud Mary.
Meanwhile, George Clark and his partner Alexis War repeated their Paso Doble by Ruel at Game of Survival.
She also performed her show dance to Human by The Killers and a Viennese waltz to Somebody to Love by Queen.
But after weeks of tangos, salsas, and foxtrots, it was Carney and Gu’s night, and they topped the public vote.
“I just want to express my sincerest gratitude to everyone who supported our journey and supported us,” Carney said.
Gu told Carney, “You changed my life,” and added, “For the girls and boys watching at home, dream big, be proud, and never give up.”
Other highlights of the night included boyband Five performing their hit songs during the grand final.
Most of the cast of 2025 also returned for another routine.
However, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not attend. Speaking on social media earlier today, he claimed that the BBC rigged the vote, due to which he had to leave the show.
A BBC spokesperson rejected the allegation, stating that the public vote for Strictly was “independently monitored and verified to ensure complete accuracy.”
the winner of Strictly Come Dancing this year.
In October, Daly and Winkelman make the shocking announcement that he will step down at the end of this year’s series.
Daly has presented since the first series 21 years ago. Winkleman joined in 2014 and has been hosting Strictly’s sister show It Takes Two since 2004.
It was their last time presenting a Strictly final, and both were overwhelmed with emotion as they stepped down from hosting the show.
During the live broadcast, there were tributes from the Queen as well as messages from TV cook Mary Berry, members of the crew and fans of the show.
The Queen’s message read, “I’ve often thought that Strictly is not a show as much about dancing as it is about friendship—the bonds forged, the struggles overcome, and the joy shared in a joint endeavour.”
“If that’s true, yours might be the greatest strict partnership ever.
“The warmth, compassion, and sheer joy that you have with and for each other are at the heart of the show’s success.”
Daly and Winkleman’s last appearance on the show will be the Christmas special, airing on December 25.
