Karen Carney wins Strictly Come Dancing 2025 in emotional finale
Former footballer lifts Glitterball Trophy as hosts Daisy and Winkleman depart
Karen Carney won Strictly Come Dancing 2025 in an emotional finale, beating Amber Davies and George Clarke to lift the Glitterball Trophy. The Lioness and former England midfielder, 38, celebrated on stage with her professional partner Carlos after the final results were announced, as Davies and Clarke watched the outcome unfold.
The night also marked the end of an era for the BBC ballroom show, with hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman bidding farewell to viewers in an emotional finale after confirming earlier this year they would leave the series. The moment was underscored by a royal tribute, as Queen Camilla delivered a send-off and a message from the monarch was read aloud by Craig Revel Horwood, described on air as coming from the ultimate Strictly fan. The episode closed a chapter for Daly and Winkleman as they prepared to exit the program.
Amber Davies had spoken before the vote, describing her time on Strictly as the biggest joy of her life, underscoring the personal significance of the competition for each finalist. Moments after Davies’s remarks, Carney’s name was announced as the winner, and she embraced Carlos in a tightly choreographed celebration on stage. The moment captured the mix of triumph and emotion that has characterized this season’s finale.
The final featured a blend of competition, sentiment, and farewell imagery. Carney’s victory adds another chapter to the show’s long history of featuring sport and entertainment crossovers, with former athletes among its champions in past seasons. The finale’s conclusion also highlighted the ongoing reshaping of Strictly Come Dancing’s presenting lineup as Daly and Winkleman prepare to step away, leaving a void audiences will notice as the series advances into future editions.
In official photography from the night, Carney and Carlos posed with the Glitterball Trophy, underscoring the culmination of a season that fused athleticism, performance, and public fan engagement. The finale’s emotional arc was punctuated by the hosts’ departures and by the enduring appeal of the ballroom spectacle, which continues to draw a broad audience across generations.
The competition wrapped with a final burst of celebration, as viewers witnessed Carney acknowledge the support of fans and peers alike. The Glitterball Trophy, a symbol of the show’s brightest performances, was lifted in triumph, signaling a victorious end to Carney’s dancing journey on the programme. The emotional finale drew to a close amid reflections on the show’s evolving presenter lineup and the enduring appeal of Strictly Come Dancing as a cultural institution within entertainment.
As the credits rolled, the hours that followed offered fans a recap of the season’s high points, from standout routines to tearful goodbyes and the final, decisive moment when Karen Carney was announced as the champion. The episode reinforced why Strictly Come Dancing remains a staple of cultural entertainment, delivering a blend of competitive drama, personal storytelling, and celebratory showmanship that resonates with a broad audience.
