No small cha-cha change for new champ as showbiz expert ‘I’m speechless. This is just the most incredible experience ever’
SUSAN HILL Features Editor UNDERDOG Ore pulled off a huge shock to swipe the Glitterball trophy.
The sports presenter was the only finalist not to have had any previous dance experience going into last night’s epic final.
He also found himself in the dreaded dance off twice, with bookies tipping him as the least likely to claim victory.
But after three dazzling dances, Strictly fans voted him their champion.
After his win, Ore, 30, praised his dance partner Joanne Clifton.
Holding back the tears, he said: “I am so speechless. I want to thank Joanne for everything. You are the most incredible person.
“This is the most incredible experience of my life. I’ve learned to dance, I’ve made a best friend and I’ve been on the show I’ve loved for 12 years.
“The show has gone beyond my wildest dreams. There’s something about that live audience. There’s something about knowing that the whole country is watching you in that moment.
“The minute Jo and I got partnered together I just looked in her eyes and I went, ‘I think we’re gonna have fun’.” Before the final, bookies had Ore at just 7/1 to win. Runaway favourite Danny Mac was at 8/11, with Louise Redknapp at 7/4.
But Ore’s stunning performances saw him defy all the odds and stage a shock triumph.
He opened the show with his American Smooth to Singin’ In The Rain, chosen by the judges.
Ore was awarded a whopping 39 points, with only Craig Revel Horwood not awarding him the full 10. But it was his classy Showdance to I Got Rhythm by George and Ira Gerswin that blew the judges away – with the couple receiving the first full marks of the final. Head judge Len Goodman stood up to slow clap the routine saying, “Who would wish for anything more” after their routine featured a number of risky jumps between a set of drums.
His third and final dance, the couple’s favourite, was a jive to Runaway Baby. It earned their second 40 of the night. Len said: “It’s people like you that give me the most pleasure on Strictly, people who have no dance background at all. “Ore you are the sprit of Strictly. Your star is shinning brighter than ever. “That was sheer perfection.” Tearful Ore said he would have been at a loss without the support of his wife Portia.
The blonde told him: “I am the proudest wife, you are amazing and I love you so, so much.”
Ore and Jo’s win dashed her brother Kevin’s hopes of lifting the trophy after reaching the final for the fourth year on the trot with Louise.
The show said an emotional farewell to head judge Len – with the audience giving a standing ovation.
Len said: “I’ll miss just turning up and the anticipation of what’s going to happen. I’ll miss working with, in my opinion, the three best judges on television. The whole thing is like a big machine with cogs.
“Every one of them has to work for the machine to work.”
While it may have been Len’s last ever live show Strictly fans can watch his final appearance as head judge in next week’s Christmas special.