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”.
Chris’s acceptance speech
When Chris and Dianne were announced as the winners, he told host Tess Daly that he thought he would have been booted out of the competition in week one.
“We’ve lasted and lasted and Dianne has got so much out of me,” he said. “[Dianne] deserves this so much. Every day she’s just positivity and belief and she’s just one of the easiest people to be funny with than I’ve ever met.”
He then joked: “Unless she changes her number, she’s stuck with me.”
McCausland dedicated his win to anybody who “got told or thought that they couldn’t do something”.
“It shows that with opportunity, support and determination, that anything can happen,” he said.
Buswell said: “This is not for me, this is me and you, Chris. We did this together. This is for both of us, we worked together. And we did it!”
Craig’s speech for Chris
In Strictly Come Dancing’s 20-year history, judge Craig Revel Horwood has developed a reputation for being the pantomime villain of the series – giving out harsh scores and even more scathing criticism.
However, it seems that this year’s winner, Chris, has been the person to finally break down the ruthless judge.
During last night’s final, Craig revealed that he had written “a little something” dedicated to Chris.
He began the poem: “In a world of darkness, you’ve learnt to dance and slay / With every step, you’ve found your way / You’ve taught the world anything can be done / As long as you don’t stick out your bum / No shoulders raised with swing and sway / With every heel lead, you discovered the day / A heart that dances, pure and free / Is worth much more than a 10 from me / And Chris, you’re a light that shines for all to see.”
Read more below:
Craig Revel Horwood shocks Strictly fans with emotional poem to Chris McCausland
‘Chris, you’ve officially broken Craig Revel Horwood,’ declared Claudia Winkleman
Strictly head judge Shirley Ballas congratulates Chris
Shirley Ballas, Strictly’s head judge, has congratulated Chris and Dianne after their win on Saturday night.
“I am in awe of you both and feel honoured that all our paths have crossed,” she said. “Judging you each week has been a privilege. Huge congratulations. What a final. X.”
‘Strictly’ viewing figures released
An average of 8.6 million people tuned in on Saturday between 6pm and 8.35pm to watch Chris McCausland become the first blind winner of Strictly.
The BBC’s overnight viewing figures revealed a peak audience of 9.6 million people as Chris and Dianne lifted the glitterball trophy.
It marks a small change from last year when Coronation Street star Ellie Leach won the final with Vito Coppola, which had an average of 8.8 million viewers for the live show, with a peak audience of 9.7 million.
Joe Sugg sends heartfelt message to his partner Dianne Buswell after Strictly triumph
Joe Sugg has sent a moving message to his long-term partner Dianne Buswell after she and Chris McCausland were crowned the winners.
The YouTuber was paired with the professional dancer on Strictly in 2018, and the pair sparked a romantic connection and have been together since.
Reacting to the news that his partner had lifted the glitterball trophy on Saturday night, Joe, who placed second in the 2018 final, thanked Chris for making Dianne’s year “so special”.
Read more here:
Joe Sugg sends heartfelt message to his partner Dianne Buswell after Strictly triumph
‘It’s been a long, winding road full of ups and downs,’ wrote YouTuber
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