Eastenders star Jamie Borthwick and professional dancer Nancy Xu have been crowned this year's winners of the Strictly Come Dancing's Christmas special.
11.12.2023 - 07:47 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
It was an emotional night as the final couple to leave Strictly Come Dancing made a sad exit with just a week to go until the final. Saturday night's semi-final saw epic routines, standing ovations and plenty of tears with only three couples getting to go through for one last chance at lifting the Glitterball trophy.
After performing two dances each, it was Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin who were top of the leaderboard with 116 out of a possible 120 after the judges' points were carried over from last week and achieving two perfect 40 scores - the only couple to get all 10s from the judges this series.
They were closely followed by Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola who achieved a just-as-impressive score of 111 out of 120. Bobby Brazier and Dianne Buswell finished with 107 while Annabel Croft and Johannes didn't quite break the 100 mark with a total of 98 out of 120. And it was these two couples who found themselves in the dreaded dance-off on Sunday night (December 10).
READ MORE: BBC Strictly Come Dancing viewers make complaint about Anton Du Beke as they spot 'struggle' during semi-final
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Both couples performed their favourite routine of the night again after falling under the red light of doom. EastEnders star Bobby and dance partner Dianne performed their Quickstep to Mack the Knife by Bobby Darin.
It was then over to former tennis ace Annabel and her dance partner Johannes performed their Viennese Waltz to Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want by Slow Moving Millie before the judges delivered their verdicts.
Craig Revel Horwood kicked things off by opting to save Annabel and Johannes but after both Anton Du Beke and Motsi Mabuse
Eastenders star Jamie Borthwick and professional dancer Nancy Xu have been crowned this year's winners of the Strictly Come Dancing's Christmas special.
It's been a busy few months for professional dancer, Nikita Kuzmin, who just missed out on winning the iconic Glitterball trophy with his partner, Bad Education star Layton Williams, during this year's Strictly Come Dancing. However, since the grand final, the 25 year old has been enjoying some well-deserved down time with his girlfriend, as they both jetted off to Dubai for some winter sun just before Christmas.
Strictly Come Dancing star Layton Williams has issued a plea to his supporters as he doesn't want 'what' everyone did' to him during the series to happen to Ellie Leach after winning the show. The actor and West End star made it to the final of the BBC One dance contest with professional partner Nikita Kuzmin.
Strictly Come Dancing fans celebrated after a former star reunited with her Strictly dance partner at last night's final. While many were excited by the reunion, some fans also issued a complaint.
Strictly Come Dancing viewers have been left a little concerned for one of the show's professional dancers after an 'emotional' appearance during the final. Dianne Buswell made it to the end of the 2023 run of the BBC One dance contest with celebrity partner Bobby Brazier.
The finale of Strictly Come Dancing 2023 provided more epic moments for the show's history books but fans think the show 'missed a trick'. The BBC One dance contest's 21st run came to an end on Saturday night (December 16) after another 13 weeks of celebrities and professional dancers performing week in, week out.
Strictly Come Dancing fans have said those in the ballroom appeared 'too chilled out' when Ellie Leach's 'life was risked' during the final. The former Coronation Street star made it to the end of the BBC One dance contest on Saturday night (December 16) with pro dance partner Vito Coppola.
Ellie Leach was at a school friend's birthday sleepover when she discovered she had secured the part of Faye Windass on Coronation Street. Now 22, the Strictly Come Dancing finalist, from Audenshaw, has already experienced a career that most people could only dream about.
Johannes Radebe has broken his silence on his exit from Strictly Come Dancing with an emotional message to his dance partner Annabel Croft. The professional dancer and former tennis player narrowly missed out on a spot in the final after finding themselves in the dance-off on Sunday (Dec 10).
Craig Revel Horwood disagreed with his fellow judges at the Strictly Come Dancing semi-final as he opted to save Annabel Croft over Bobby Brazier - despite judges Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Shirley Ballas voting in favour of saving the latter. Craig, 58, was the third judge to vote, leaving head judge Shirley, 62, to cast the deciding vote.
Craig Revel Horwood went against his fellow judges during the latest Strictly Come Dancing results - after fans claimed to spot his 'dislike' with one of the show's couples. It was a crucial night in the ballroom on Saturday night (December 9) as there were three places in the final at stake.
'What is happening' is what Strictly Come Dancing viewers were asking as the competition reached the semi-final stage. It was crunch time in the ballroom as the remaining four couples performed twice each with a place in the grand final at stake.
Strictly Come Dancing fans have said someone 'should go to prison' as they complained about the choice of dance for Annabel Croft. The tennis ace made it to the semi-final of the BBC One dance contest on Saturday night (December 9) with dance partner Johannes Radebe.
It's been a very dramatic weekend for the Strictly Come Dancing team, following Casualty star Nigel Harman's unexpected exit from the show.To recap, the 50 year old actor was forced to withdraw from the BBC dancing competition after he sustained an injury to his rib while rehearsing for his performance that was scheduled for Saturday night. Announcing his departure, Nigel expressed his disappointment to host Claudia Winkleman and explained what actually happened.
Layton Williams has said 'think what you want' as he reacted to getting the first perfect score on Strictly Come Dancing 2023. The actor and West End star was elated alongside his professional dance partner Nikita Kuzmin when the judges awarded them a score of 40 on Saturday night (December 2).
Strictly Come Dancing star Annabel Croft has been flooded with support after sharing her 'wish' for her co-star after an unusual weekend in the ballroom. The former tennis ace was back performing in the BBC One dance contest over the weekend with professional dancer Johannes Radebe.
Strictly Come Dancing fans wasted no time in commenting as they were stunned by Tess Daly's change during the latest results show. The presenter was back on screens on Sunday night (December 3) alongside Claudia Winkleman despite there being no dance-off.
Bobby Brazier has said it was a "privilege" to honour his late mother Jade Goody on Strictly Come Dancing last week after his tribute left the judges, viewers and his dad, Jeff Brazier, in tears. The EastEnders actor performed a couple’s choice dance with professional partner Dianne Buswell.
Strictly Come Dancing fans were left saying 'sorry' as they couldn't help but make the same point about Bobby Brazier and Dianne Buswell's latest routine. The pair were back in the ballroom on Saturday night (December 2) for the BBC One dance contest's Musicals week.
Strictly Come Dancing viewers were left saying 'good job' as Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola caused a bit of a divide as they opened Musicals week. It was all about the razzle-dazzle of the stage on Saturday night (December 2) as the BBC One dance contest returned to screens for the quarter-finals.