This article reveals the outcome 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 beat 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 was paired with professional dancer Carlos Gu, said: “I can’t believe it, it’s been the biggest privilege and honour,” before adding 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.
In a message read out by judge Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman’s “warmth, compassion and sheer happiness” had been at the heart of the show’s success, adding: “I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly fab-u-lous”.
As usual, one of the dances in the grand finale was chosen by the judges, one was their own favourite dance from the series, and the other was a show dance.
The judges gave advisory scores but the public made the final decision.
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.
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 winning duo faced stiff competition from the other remaining couples.
Amber Davies 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 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 tangos, salsas and foxtrots, it was Carney and Gu’s night as they topped the public vote.
Other highlights on the night included most of the cast of 2025 coming back for one more routine.
However, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not attend. Speaking earlier today on social media,, he claimed the BBC rigged the vote that saw him leave the show.
A BBC spokesperson rejected the allegation, saying Strictly’s public vote was “independently overseen and verified to ensure complete accuracy”.
The boyband Five also performed a string of hits during the grand final.
