Former England footballer Karen Carney has been crowned the winner of Strictly Come Dancing, making history as the first footballer to claim the glitterball trophy.
Carney secured victory during Saturday night’s live final on BBC One, beating Love Island star Amber Davies and social media personality George Clarke after topping the public vote.
Paired with professional dancer Carlos Gu, Carney was visibly emotional as her win was announced. “I can’t believe it, it’s been the biggest privilege and honour,” she said, adding that she was “lost for words”.
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The grand final was hosted by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman for the final time, marking the end of an era for the long-running BBC show.
The evening featured tributes to the presenting duo, including a message from Queen Camilla, read aloud by judge Craig Revel Horwood. She praised Daly and Winkleman’s “warmth, compassion and sheer happiness”, adding: “I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly fab-u-lous.”
As in previous finals, each couple performed three routines: one selected by the judges, one favourite from the series, and a show dance. While the judges offered advisory scores, the final result rested entirely with the public vote.
Karen Carney Delivers Standout Performances in the Strictly Final
Carney and Gu impressed with a range of 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.
One of the biggest moments of the night came with their football-themed jive to One Way Or Another by Blondie, which earned a standing ovation and their second perfect score of the evening.
Despite the strong competition, the pair’s consistency and connection resonated with viewers, ultimately securing them the win.
Strong Competition from Amber Davies and George Clarke
Amber Davies and her partner Nikita Kuzmin were the first couple to perform in the final. Their routines included 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.
George Clarke and professional partner Alexis Warr also delivered polished performances, reprising their Paso Doble to Game of Survival by Ruelle. They later performed a show dance to Human by The Killers and a Viennese Waltz to Somebody to Love by Queen.
However, after weeks of competition filled with tangos, salsas and foxtrots, it was Carney and Gu who ultimately won over the public.
“I just want to say thank you to everybody that has supported our journey, and supported us,” Carney said following her victory.
Gu told his partner she had “changed my life”, adding: “To the girls and boys watching at home, dream big and be proud and never give up.”
Final Night Highlights and Voting Controversy Addressed
The live final also featured a performance from boyband Five, who delivered a medley of their hits. Most of the 2025 cast returned to the ballroom for a final group routine.
Social media personality Thomas Skinner was notably absent. Earlier in the day, he claimed on social media that the BBC had rigged the vote that led to his exit from the show.
A BBC spokesperson denied the allegation, stating that Strictly Come Dancing’s public vote is “independently overseen and verified to ensure complete accuracy”.
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