Strictly Come Dancing: the final – live | Strictly Come Dancing




Key events

Judges’ comments for Tasha and Aljaž: Anton says “my dream dance, you did it just for me, the perfect showdance”. Craig says “sassy, style, superb, Broadway-ready, loved it”. Motsi says “you zoomed off and didn’t let up”. Shirley concludes “magical, serene ease of movement, loved it and loved it some more”. Aljaž looks exhausted. Again. But a 40 should pep him up…

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Tasha and Aljaž’s showdance

A big band tune for a delightfully jazzy dance. Tasha Ghouri prefers ballroom to Latin and this showdance is suitably old-style and classic in feel. Looking every inch the golden age Hollywood starlet in a flowing red dress and evening gloves, set against the black-and-white skyline. Elements of quickstep, foxtrot, Charleston, waltz and musical theatre. It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing and this has it in spades. Anton’s bound to say he wished he’d danced this. Upbeat and gloriously grin-inducing. A bobby dazzler, worthy of Fred and Ginger (not Neil). Wow, I could watch that again right now.

Song: Sing, Sing, Sing by Benny Goodman. AJ Odudu and Kai Widdrington quickstepped to this 1930s jazz standard three series ago.

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Judges’ scores for JB and Lauren: 9, 10, 10, 10 for a total of 39 points. His former partner Amy Dowden hugs them both. There’s lovely.

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Judges’ comments for JB and Lauren: Craig says “a little bit heavy in places but rhythm and groove is totally you, your energies matched, loved the jazz bit”. Motsi says “you put soul on the dancefloor”. Shirley says “Craig is getting confused between heavy and grounded, swag and cool”. Anton concludes “unbridled joy”. A 39-pointer? Aston Merrygold (robbed! never forget!) is in the audience.

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JB and Lauren’s showdance

Showdance o’clock now. Exciting. Theatrical choreographer Tommy Franzen has collaborated with JB Gill and Lauren Oakley on this Motown mash-up. Retro 1970s styling with orange and giant TV prop. Side-by-side sections and into an impressive splits by JB. A jazzy, funky grab-bag, full of groove, with nods to their street/commercial Couple’s Choice number from Icons Week. A bit of hustle and hip-hop. Nice partnering work. Lifts and tricks. Freedom of movement and serious swag. JB is really showcasing what he’s learnt here. Huge fun. A proper party dance but flagged a bit in patches for me.

Song: Motown medley. It includes a blast of Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, the 1967 hit for Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, later recorded by The Supremes. It was written by husband-and-wife team Ashford & Simpson, duet specialists who had a hit of their own 17 years later with Solid.

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Voting is… drum roll please… open!

The public vote is announced and the usual prop-based pandemonium kicks off in the Clauditorium. Viewer votes alone will decide the winner, remember, so use yours wisely. That concludes this party non-political broadcast.

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Updated at 

Dame Laura Kenny on the Ts & Cs

Up in the Clauditorium, our most successful female Olympian of all time is the last VIP guest of the series to read out the voting smallprint. A fittingly golden figure for the final. Sparkly frock too.

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Judges’ scores for Sarah and Vito: 9, 10, 10, 10 for a total of 39 points. Their joint best. Sally Phillips cheering her on in the ballroom. Sarah does a decent Shirley impression but Fleur East’s is better.

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Judges’ comments for Sarah and Vito: Vito’s had a trouser malfunction. Be still our beating slacks. Shirley says “superb, you remembered all the details”. Anton says “clean and captivating”. Craig says “a little bit of gapping but flow and footwork impressive, lifts were spec-tac-u-lar, darling”. Motsi concludes “lovely lightness, great job”. It scored 33 points last time and deserved better. I suspect it will get it now.

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Sarah and Vito’s American smooth

Their Judges’ Pick sees Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola reprising their week eight routine to the song that has soundtracked Sarah’s career since Miranda. Wind machine side-by-side section, then into a long lift. Foxtrot steps and softened knees for that smooth and floaty feel. Vito reintroduces his cartwheel lift. Anton wanted him to tuck his bottom in and point his toes last time, while Shirley said Sarah got tight in the upper body. They’ve been working on getting her breathing right, being more airy and nailing the details with no gapping. An upbeat, celebratory ballroom number with wow-factor lifts. Such fun.

Song: Proud by Heather Small. Since its 2000 release, the M People diva’s debut solo single has become a rousing motivational anthem, often used at the Olympics and London Marathon. It also became an in-joke from sitcom Miranda, of course. What have you done today? I’ve walked the dog and prepped for this liveblog. Do I feel proud? In a way, yes.

Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola. Photograph: Guy Levy/PA
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Posted: 2024-12-14 20:08:40

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