Strictly Come Dancing: Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell win Glitterball Trophy in tear-jerking finale
The comedian took home the glitterball trophy after reducing all the judges to tears with his emotional final performances
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Your support makes all the difference.Strictly Come Dancing 2024 has been won by Chris McCausland and his partner Dianne Buswell.
The pair were vying against Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola, Tasha Ghouri dancing with Aljaž Škorjanec and JB Gill and his pro partner Lauren Oakley in Saturday night’s tear-jerking grand final (14 December).
McCausland was a firm favourite to win, and is now the first blind contestant to become a Strictly champion.
The comedian’s first two dances of the night – a couple’s choice to “Instant Karma! (We All Shine On)” by John Lennon and a show dance to “You Get What You Give” by New Radicals – had an emotional impact, as judges Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas were left in tears.
And his third caused even more sobbing. McCausland and Buswell were both in tears at the end of their routine — a performance of their Waltz to “You Never Walk Alone” by Gerry and the Pacemakers. Buswell’s parents in the audience were also crying, along with the panel and seemingly everyone in the Clauditorium.
Prior to the live final, McCausland is reported to have faced a last-minute change of plan as his parents couldn’t travel to Hertfordshire to support him due to illness.
His mother Valerie had caught the flu, and was unable to travel from their home in Liverpool to the Elstree Studios in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, where the live final took place. McCausland’s father, John, told The Daily Mail he would be remaining at home to look after her.
Reflecting on his win on Saturday night, McCausland admitted he had predicted he would have been the first person eliminated from the competition because he didn’t think he could dance.
“It shows that with opportunity, support and determination, that anything can happen,” he said.
The comedian then dedicated his victory to anybody who “got told or thought that they couldn’t do something”.
Vito has a wardrobe issue
Well... his trousers appear to have broken. Vito is now holding them together at the top, in order to preserve his modesty.
“There might be a malfunction with the trousers but there wasn’t one with the dance,” Shirley quipped.
Sarah’s scores are in...
It’s a 9 from Craig, and 10s from Motsi, Shirley and Anton, for a total of 39.
Voting is now open
The voting usually opens at the end of each Saturday’s live show, but as the winner will be announced tonight, you can vote during the episode.
And as it’s the final, if you’re voting online then you get six votes to cast (so you can split them between your fave pairs if you’re feeling indecisive).
JB is first up with his show dance
Tonight’s live show will have more VTs and comedic bits than in previous episodes, mainly because there are more costume and set changes to allow for.
JB’s show dance is being preceeded by a lovely VT, which includes him reflecting on having two partners during the course of the show.
“I owe them both an incredible debt of gratitude,” he said of Amy Dowden and Lauren Oakley, who replaced her friend after injury. “Amy and Lauren are more than just dance teachers. They’ve helped to establish a love of dancing.”
JB’s sensational show dance
JB always looks like he’s having the best time, and this show dance is no different.
It’s a properly fun routine to a Motown medley, complete with different dance styles and stunning lifts (as we’ve come to expect from show dances). Bravo!
Judges ‘absolutely love’ JB’s routine
“I thought it was a little bit heavy in some places,” Craig said. “But the rhythm, the groove, is totally you. I absolutely loved that jazz bit, I thought it was a great, great routine.
“Thank you for bringing the party to Strictly Come Dancing,” said Motsi.
“I think you’re getting confused with heavy and grounded,” Shirley hit back at Craig.
JB’s scores are in...
A 9 from Craig and 10s from the other judges give him a total of 39.
Tasha’s Show Dance is up next
She’s performing it to “Sing, Sing, Sing” by Benny Goodman.
“This show has been the best experience of my life so far,” she said in her VT.
“From day one I always felt that excitement from her,” said Aljaz. “We’ve gone through perfect scores, we’ve gone through dance-offs, she should be so proud of herself. She’s a winner for me every week.”
Tasha goes for old Hollywood glam
That was stunning. There was barely a second to breathe during that non-stop routine, and that was just for me watching it. It had lifts, it had kicks, it had absolutely tonnes of old school glam. I loved it.
Can we take a second for the Strictly set designers too? What a beautiful set-up.
“This is the dream dance,” Anton said. “I’d like to think you did this just for me. This is show dancing. This is perfect.”
Craig said: “I’ve got to agree. Sass, style. Absolutely superb. Broadway ready, darling. I totally loved it.”
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