Strictly Champions Crowned in Spectacular Grand Final
This piece covers the outcome of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing championship.
Former Lioness Karen Carney has been declared this year's Strictly Come Dancing champion, becoming the first footballer to win the coveted trophy.
She overcame Love Islander Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after winning the public vote in Saturday's live final.
Carney, who was paired with pro partner Carlos Gu, remarked: "I can't believe it, it's been the biggest honour," before saying she was "overwhelmed".
It was an heartfelt night in the studio, as hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly fronted the final for the final occasion - with the Queen 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 "kindness, empathy and sheer joy" had been at the core of the show's popularity, stating: "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly wonderful".
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 guidance scores but the public made the ultimate choice.
Carney and Gu performed dances including a show dance to 'Inner Smile' by Texas, and an 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 victorious duo faced strong competition from the other remaining couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the first to grace the stage.
The couple 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 revisited their Paso Doble 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 public vote.
"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," commenting: "To the girls and boys 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 routine.
However, online figure Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had alleged earlier that the vote that saw him leave the show was unfair.
A representative denied the allegation, saying the show's public vote was "independently overseen and checked to ensure complete fairness".
The group Five also performed a string of their hits during the grand final.
Tess and Claudia's Final Show
In October, Daly and Winkleman made the shock announcement that they would be leaving their roles at the end of this year's series.
Daly has presented since the inaugural 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 overcome with emotion as they said their goodbyes.
During the live broadcast, as well as the message from the Queen, there were messages 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 bonds created, the challenges conquered and the joy shared in undertaking a shared endeavour.
"Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the most significant Strictly pairing of all.
"The kindness, care 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 final show will be the holiday episode, which is broadcast on 25 December.
