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
Shirley Ballas has dismissed any accusations of 'bias' as the made the final decision during the last Strictly Come Dancing results show. It was a crucial night in the ballroom on Saturday night as the remaining four couples danced twice for a place in the grand final.
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.
But on Sunday night (December 10), the pre-recorded results show revealed who had made it through to next Saturday's final (December 16) after the tenth couple to be eliminated was confirmed as Annabel Croft and Johannes Radebe.
READ MORE: BBC Strictly Come Dancing viewers make complaint about Anton Du Beke as they spot 'struggle' during semi-final
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The 57-year-old former tennis player lost out following a dance-off with EastEnders star Bobby Brazier, 20, and professional dancer Dianne Buswell. Annabel, whose husband died earlier in the year, thanked her dance partner Johannes Radebe and told him he had given her “a reason to get out of bed”.
In the dance-off, Annabel and Johannes performed a Viennese waltz in the style of Slow Moving Millie’s cover of Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want, by indie band The Smiths. Bobby and Dianne performed their quickstep to Mack the Knife by Bobby Darin.
Judge Craig Revel Horwood chose to save Annabel while Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and head judge Shirley Ballas opted to save Brazier.
Shirley said: "The semi-final 2023, I thought both couples were absolutely extraordinary, I
Eastenders star Jamie Borthwick and professional dancer Nancy Xu have been crowned this year's winners of the Strictly Come Dancing's Christmas special.
Shirley Ballas is arguably the Strictly Come Dancing judge contestants want to impress the most as the one with the casting vote during each results show. Dancing since she was seven, the Cheshire-born ballroom dancer has never been shy of giving her professional critique on the BBC One show, even when her comments have proved unpopular.
It's only been just over a week since the hit dance competition wrapped up its 2023 series but there is still plenty of glitter and sparkles left for the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special.
Strictly Come Dancing's Bobby Brazier is in the middle of a 'secret feud' after it was noticed he's not following some co-stars on social media. Just one week on since the show's conclusion, eagle eyed fans noticed that the 20 year old actor from EastEnders didn't click follow for Les Dennis, Nikita Kanda, and Nigel Harman.
One of the Strictly Come Dancing judges looks 'set to be replaced' next year after fans issued a complaint saying it "drives me mad". Saturday night's (December 16) final saw Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke on the judging panel for the last time this year.
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.
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.
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.
Strictly Come Dancing star Vito Coppola has shared his advice to Ellie Leach as he reacted to the news they had made it through to the final. The pair wowed in the ballroom over the weekend as they competed in the semi-final of the BBC One dance contest.
Strictly Come Dancing's 2023 finalists have been confirmed after a sad final exit. It's been 12 weeks since 14 celebrities first appeared in the ballroom after signing up for this year's run of the BBC One dance contest.
Strictly Come Dancing fans were left demanding 'more' after an unexpected moment in the ballroom. The last results show of the series on Sunday night (December 10) saw the three finalists of the 2023 series decided ahead of next weekend's final.
According to Strictly Come Dancing fans, 'tension' between the judges and one of the celebrity contestants has been 'confirmed' after a telling comment from Motis Mabuse. It was the semi-final of the BBC One dance contest on Saturday night (December 9) and the remaining four couples performed twice for the judges and the voting public watching at home
Strictly Come Dancing viewers were left complaining over Anton Du Beke as he returned to the judging panel for the semi-final. It was a crucial night in the ballroom on Saturday (December 9) as the four remaining couples performed for a place in next weekend's grand final.
Viewers said they had 'no idea' after missing what Ellie Leach was doing during her first performance on Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday night (December 9). It was crunch time for the former Coronation Street star and her professional dance partner Vito Coppola as they are favourites to make it through to next weekend's final.
Shirley Ballas has gotten herself a new name as she reacted to some big family news. The Strictly Come Dancing star reshared a post from her son, Mark Ballas, confirming the arrival of his first child, making her a grandmother for the first time.
Strictly Come Dancing star Vito Coppola has said he's 'in love' as his hidden message to Ellie Leach was uncovered - but it might not be exactly what it seems. The dancer was seen in the ballroom over the weekend alongside his former Coronation Street star dance partner after making it through to the quarter-finals.
Jeff Brazizer has spoken out in support of his son Bobby after their latest Strictly Come Dancing performance left professional dancer Dianne Buswell 'gutted'. EastEnders star Bobby and his dance partner Dianne were back in the ballroom over the weekend.
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 fear a 'crime' may take place before the end of the series as they made a complaint on Saturday night (December 2). The BBC One dance contest returned to screens after being thrown into chaos just hours before the quarter-finals.