Karen Carney WINS Strictly Come Dancing as emotional Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman receive heartfelt tribute letter from Queen Camilla in their last final

Karen Carney has won Strictly Come Dancing 2025 as Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman bid goodbye to viewers in an emotional finale.

Each finalist performed three times – a judges’ choice, their show dance and their favourite dance before the winner was declared.

As Tess and Claudia announced she had won, Karen, 38, was left speechless as she embraced her pro partner Carlos Gu.

She said: ‘I cannot believe it. I just wanna say thank you to everybody that’s supported our journey, supported us, and, thank you to this wonderful gentleman [Carlos].

‘We are a team, and, I could not have done this without you, but honestly, I can’t believe it, it’s been the biggest privilege and honour, and, I literally, I’m lost for words. I’m so sorry.’

Before the result, Tess and Claudia received a special tribute VT after this year’s series highlights were aired.


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Karen Carney has won Strictly Come Dancing 2025 as Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman bid goodbye to viewers in an emotional finale

As Tess and Claudia announced she had won, Karen, 38, was left speechless as she embraced her pro partner Carlos Gu
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As Tess and Claudia announced she had won, Karen, 38, was left speechless as she embraced her pro partner Carlos Gu

The presenters, who announced their departures in October, were left in tears during the show as the end approached
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The presenters, who announced their departures in October, were left in tears during the show as the end approached

However, they were left blown away as Craig Revel Horwood read out a special letter from Her Majesty The Queen.

It said: ‘Tess and Claudia, as you prepare to take your final twirl, I just want to say thank you on behalf of the millions who watch you each week.

‘I have often thought that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about friendships, the bonds forged, the struggles overcome, and the joy shared in undertaking a joint endeavour.

‘If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the greatest strictly partnership of all. The warmth, compassion, and sheer happiness you have radiated with and from each other has been at the heart of the show’s success.

‘I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly fabulous. I wish you both every success in wherever life’s journey takes you next, but as one who has appreciated its lifelong benefits, do promise us one thing, keep dancing.

‘With the warmest gratitude and admiration, Her Royal Highness, Queen Camilla.’

The show had opened as Claudia wore her trademark black jacket with a white blouse and revealed how ‘keep dancing’ had been stitched onto the back – a nod to her and Tess’ famous slogan.

Tess opted for a stunning rose-gold sequined dress that featured a daring thigh-high slit and shoulderless design.

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Did Karen deserve to win Strictly?

Tess and Claudia were left blown away as Craig Revel Horwood read out a special letter from Her Majesty The Queen
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Tess and Claudia were left blown away as Craig Revel Horwood read out a special letter from Her Majesty The Queen

Tess and Claudia opened their last ever Strictly Come Dancing live show on Saturday night, setting the scene for an emotional night
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Tess and Claudia opened their last ever Strictly Come Dancing live show on Saturday night, setting the scene for an emotional night

Before their win, Karen and Carlos' judges' choice - chosen by Motsi Mabuse - scored the first 40 of the night as the footballer was left stunned
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Before their win, Karen and Carlos’ judges’ choice – chosen by Motsi Mabuse – scored the first 40 of the night as the footballer was left stunned

Claudia wore her trademark black jacket with a white blouse and revealed how 'keep dancing' had been stitched into the back - a nod to her and Tess' famous slogan
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Claudia wore her trademark black jacket with a white blouse and revealed how ‘keep dancing’ had been stitched into the back – a nod to her and Tess’ famous slogan

Strictly finale scores 

Amber Davies 39, 39, 40, 118 

George Clarke 39, 39, 39, 117

Karen Carney  40, 37, 40, 117 

 

The pair emotionally said: ‘Thanks to our cast and choreographer Jason Gilkison for that spectacular opening to the show, and thank you for joining us for one glorious last night in the ballroom.

‘Back in September, 15 celebrities took to the dance floor, and after one. Of our most exciting competitions ever, just three remain.

‘Amber, George, and Karen are your finalists, and tonight you decide who will be crowned strictly champions.’

Amber opened the show with her pro partner Nikita, performing a Paso Doble that was picked by head judge Shirley Ballas.

Following the dance, to Dream On by Aerosmith, the judges gave the couple 39 out of 40 – with Craig Revel Horwood’s nine stopping them from achieving a perfect score.

Up next was George and Alexis and their Viennese Waltz, dancing to Queen’s Somebody to Love.

Their judges’ choice was picked by Anton Du Beke.

Just like his scoring with Amber, Craig was reluctant to award a 10, despite Mosti, Shirley and Anton dishing out 10s so far. With Craig’s nine, George’s judges’ choice was scored 39 out of 40.

Motsi chose Karen and Carlos’ Tango to Red Right Hand by Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds.

Proud husband Vernon Kay was pictured on his feet in support of Tess, alongside their eldest daughter Phoebe, who Tess was pregnant with during the first series of Strictly
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Proud husband Vernon Kay was pictured on his feet in support of Tess, alongside their eldest daughter Phoebe, who Tess was pregnant with during the first series of Strictly


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Amber opened the show with her pro partner Nikita, performing a Paso Doble that was picked by head judge Shirley Ballas

Following the dance, to Dream On by Aerosmith, the judges gave the couple 39 out of 40 - with Craig Revel Horwood's nine stopping them from achieving a perfect score
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Following the dance, to Dream On by Aerosmith, the judges gave the couple 39 out of 40 – with Craig Revel Horwood’s nine stopping them from achieving a perfect score


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Up next was George and Alexis and their Viennese Waltz, dancing to Queen’s Somebody to Love

Just like his scoring with Amber, Craig was reluctant to award a 10, despite Mosti, Shirley and Anton dishing out 10s so far. With Craig's nine, George's judges' choice was scored 39 out of 40
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Just like his scoring with Amber, Craig was reluctant to award a 10, despite Mosti, Shirley and Anton dishing out 10s so far. With Craig’s nine, George’s judges’ choice was scored 39 out of 40


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Motsi Mabuse chose Karen and Carlos’ Tango to Red Right Hand by Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds

The pair's dance, inspired by Peaky Blinders as the former footballer revealed she was a huge fan, bagged the first perfect score of the night
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The pair’s dance, inspired by Peaky Blinders as the former footballer revealed she was a huge fan, bagged the first perfect score of the night

The pair’s dance, inspired by Peaky Blinders as the former footballer revealed she was a huge fan, bagged the first perfect score of the night.

After outfit changes, the finale was taken up a notch as Amber and Nikita returned to the dance floor to perform their show dance.

They performed to Rain On Me by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande.

Amber was scored 39 out of 40, with Craig once again holding her back from perfect marks, over minor details in the dance that he said felt like ‘a series of tricks’.

George and Alexis danced to Human by The Killers, with Shirley Ballas telling the social media star he’s gone from ‘zero to hero’.

The pair scored 39 out of 40 for their show dance.

Despite scoring the first perfect score of the night, Karen and Carlos placed bottom of the leaderboard following their show dance.

The duo were marked 38 out of 40, with Craig remarking how their performance felt ‘lackluster’ at points, before giving them an eight.

Performing her last ever Strictly dance, and starting off the Favourite Dances, Amber and Nikita Jived to Proud Mary by Tina Turner.

Their flawless dance earned them a perfect 40 points from the judges.

Dancing for their last time, George and Alexis wowed with a Paso Doble to Game of Survival by Ruelle.

After outfit changes, the finale was taken up a notch as Amber and Nikita returned to the dance floor to perform their show dance, scoring 39 out of 40
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After outfit changes, the finale was taken up a notch as Amber and Nikita returned to the dance floor to perform their show dance, scoring 39 out of 40

George and Alexis show danced to Human by The Killers, with Shirley Ballas telling the social media star he's gone from 'zero to hero'
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George and Alexis show danced to Human by The Killers, with Shirley Ballas telling the social media star he’s gone from ‘zero to hero’

Despite scoring the first perfect score of the night, Karen and Carlos placed bottom of the leaderboard following their show dance
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Despite scoring the first perfect score of the night, Karen and Carlos placed bottom of the leaderboard following their show dance


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Performing her last ever Strictly dance, and starting off the Favourite Dances, Amber and Nikita Jived to Proud Mary by Tina Turner


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Dancing for their last time, George and Alexis wowed with a Paso Doble to Game of Survival by Ruelle


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Wrapping up the performances of the night was Karen and Carlos with their Jive to Blondie’s One Way or Another

Carlos broke down in tears as he told Claudia how he wasn't a team player before meeting Karen - blaming that on the reason he was left without a partner last year. He paid tribute to Karen for changing him as he wiped away his tears
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Carlos broke down in tears as he told Claudia how he wasn’t a team player before meeting Karen – blaming that on the reason he was left without a partner last year. He paid tribute to Karen for changing him as he wiped away his tears

Wrapping up the performances of the night was Karen and Carlos with their Jive to Blondie’s One Way or Another.

The performance was a nod to Karen’s sporting background, as they donned a sequined football kit.

Upstairs, Carlos broke down in tears as he told Claudia how he wasn’t a team player before meeting Karen – blaming that on the reason he was left without a partner last year. He paid tribute to Karen for changing him as he wiped away his tears.

In emotional scenes, the pair were overjoyed as they scored a perfect 40.

Tess has fronted the Strictly for a mammoth 21 years and 216 days, and was awarded a Guinness World Record for the longest-serving host of the same dance competition earlier this week.

The host as been part of the series since it’s very first episode back in 2004 where she presented alongside the late Bruce Forsyth.

Sir Bruce – who died in 2017 – starred alongside her until his retirement in 2013, when Claudia then took over.