This article reveals the conclusion of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 championship.
Ex- England footballer Karen Carney has been crowned this year's Strictly Come Dancing winner, becoming the first professional soccer player to win the coveted trophy.
She overcame Love Islander Amber Davies and online influencer George Clarke after securing the audience vote in Saturday's grand finale.
Carney, who was paired with professional dancer Carlos Gu, said: "I can't believe it, it's been the biggest honour," before saying she was "overwhelmed".
It was an emotional night in the studio, as presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the final for the final occasion - with Queen Camilla among those offering praise to the long-running hosts.
In a message read out by panelist Craig Revel Horwood, the Queen said Daly and Winkleman's "kindness, compassion and pure joy" had been at the core 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 grand finale was chosen by the judges, one was their own favourite dance from the competition, and the other was a freestyle routine.
The judges gave guidance scores but the public made the ultimate choice.
Carney and Gu performed dances 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 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 winning pair faced stiff competition from the other remaining couples.
Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were the initial to take to the dance floor.
The pair delivered 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 upbeat dance to 'Proud Mary'.
In another performance, George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr performed again their Paso Doble 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 viewer poll.
"I just want to say thank you 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, dream big and be proud and never give up."
Other memorable moments on the night included most of the contestants of 2025 coming back for one more performance.
However, social media personality Thomas Skinner did not appear. He had claimed earlier that the elimination process that saw him exit the show was rigged.
A representative denied the allegation, saying the show's audience vote was "externally monitored and checked to ensure complete accuracy".
The boyband Five also performed a selection of their popular songs during the finale.
In October, Daly and Winkleman made the shock announcement that they would be stepping down at the end of this year's series.
Daly has presented since the inaugural series 21 years ago. Winkleman came on board in 2014, having fronted Strictly's sister show It Takes Two since 2004.
This was their last time hosting a Strictly final, and both were overcome with feeling as they signed off.
During the live broadcast, as well as the tribute from the Queen, there were messages from TV cook 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 connections forged, the challenges overcome and the happiness experienced in undertaking a joint challenge.
"Should that be the case, then perhaps yours has been the greatest Strictly pairing of all.
"The kindness, compassion and sheer joy you have radiated with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's success."
Daly and Winkleman's final show will be the Christmas special, which is broadcast on 25 December.
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