Strictly Come Dancing final: 5 talking points, from Stacey Dooley's win to the return of Danny John Jules
Out of four finalists, it was Dooley and her partner Kevin Clifton that came out on top, despite Craig Revel Horwood's refusal to give her a ten for her showdance
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Your support makes all the difference.So there we have it, Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton are your Strictly champions for 2018! They were bottom of the judges’ leaderboard, but the audience didn’t care. On this show, if you don’t have a journey you’ve got no chance of glitterball glory. Here’s what happened:
Kevin turned into Brendan Cole
The stakes were high for Grimsby’s finest Kevin Clifton. This was his fifth Strictly final and he was fed up of coming a close second. So perhaps that’s why he got so stroppy with Craig when he refused to give them a ten and poured scorn on Kev’s showdance choreography. ‘He does this to me in every final!’ moaned Kevin as Craig dismissed his masterpiece as ‘lots of running around’. Ouch.
The showdances!
The highlight of any Strictly final, amid all of the strung-out VTs and voting reminders, it’s the showdances we tune in to see. Faye’s was by far the best – an old school Hollywood number with glamorous, cinematic choreography. It oozed showbiz and Faye sparkled.
Joe’s attempt to be a rock and roller wasn’t quite as successful (although his trampolining was good) and Ashley’s contemporary routine was technically amazing but hardly a crowd pleaser. Stacey’s energetic jive-based number was full of commitment but it split the judges. Clearly it was enough to make people vote though.
Great dancing won’t win the glitterball
Ashley faced the dance-off for three weeks in a row and did her best to ignore a huge backlash about her dance background. Tonight, both she and Faye produced clean show-stopping performances, scoring a perfect 120 out of 120. But it wasn’t enough. Alas, it’s not just about the dancing ladies, but you did yourselves proud.
Look who’s back!
Let’s face it, Strictly is on telly for a long, long time every year. So it’s easy to forget who graced that dance floor until they reunite for a special nostalgic routine in the final. It was great to see Danny John Jules put his ‘show must go on’ smile on after boycotting It Takes Two when he got eliminated. And nobody batted an eyelid when erstwhile national villain Sean(n) Walsh recreated his Matrix number. Dr Ranj was great fun, Susannah brought back her ridiculous props and it was great fun to get the gang back together.
Naughty Brrrruno
Yet again Brrrruno said a naughty word on telly as he tried to talk about Stacey’s ‘Greatest Hits’. To be fair, it’s quite a minor slip-up for Mr Tonioli, he’s said a lot worse. The judges were falling over themselves to praise the contestants tonight, although for once Bruno didn’t actually fall off his chair.
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Shirley's on her feet, she's definitely a fan and points out the incredible improvement for someone with no dance training. Darcey calls his dance a real comeback and says Joe owned it. Brrrrrruno's happy too. Everyone's in a good mood for this final! Oops, spoke too soon, Craig called the shaping 'forced'. Whisper it: I agree with him.
Joe and Dianne: Judges' pick Paso doble scores
Craig: 9
Darcey: 10
Shirley: 10
Bruno: 10
Total: 39
Joe calls Strictly the best experience of his life, bless him.
Alan Carr is reading the terms and conditions. He's got the moves! Sign him up for 2019! Or better still let's replace Tess.
Let's get going with these showdances, this is the main event guys! First up we've got Ashley and Pasha performing a contemporary number, inspired by their amazing couple's choice routine. Contemporary won't impress a traditional Strictly audience but who cares, they know they're not going to win. We're promised lots of lifts and tricks, non-stop armography and dancing on rotating platform. BRING IT ON.
Goosepimples are SUCH a reality show cliche. Points should be deducted for mentioning them.
Wow, that took ages to get going, but after a disappointingly slow opening this was a masterclass in contemporary. Unfortunately it's not a style most viewers are well-versed in so I doubt this will win any votes. Still, you can feel Ashley's power and emotion, the lifts are beautifully executed and the commitment, musicality and attack are undeniable. Personal and strong, but not crowd-pleasing.
Shirley calls Ashley 'the epitome of extraordinary'. She even says she's grateful to her for being on the show. Calm down, mate. Brrrrruno calls it a sensational routine and admires the way Ashley takes risks. Craig says he had a problem with Ashley's right toe, 'but I decided to get over myself.' God, I'm going to miss Craig.
Ashley and Pasha: Showdance scores
Craig: 10
Darcey: 10
Shirley: 10
Bruno: 10
Total: 40
'We've had a rollercoaster ride, but we're here!' says Ashley, defiant. I'm glad she's smiling, she's had a rough ride for someone who just said yes to a job.
Time for Stacey and Kevin, with what Kev calls the most ambitious routine he's ever choreographed in his whole time on Strictly. It's something that's never been attempted before. I am so intrigued, surely we've seen everything by now?! Expect lots of jive and lifts.
Nice work, props boys, that's a cool set design. But it's the dancing we're here to judge. A lot of faffing around at the start, waiting for them to get in hold. Fun, high-energy with huge commitment and loads of fun, great timing and lots of gusto. Extremely entertaining to watch but not sure I agree with Kev that it's unlike anything in Strictly history...
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