WE ARE THE CHA-CHA CHAMPS
Strictly tears of joy for sports presenter as he beats bookies’ favourite in final
Ore Oduba cried tears of joy as he was crowned Strictly Come Dancing champion after a thrilling final last night.
The BBC sports presenter, who started the contest very much the outsider, told his dance partner Joanne Clifton: “You are the most incredible person and this has been the most incredible experience of my life.”
Ore was up against Hollyoaks actor and bookies’ favourite Danny Mac and former pop star Louise Redknapp in the f inal three. And it was a night full of show-stopping routines and perfect 40 scores as the pairs performed three dances apiece
By the nail-biting end just three points separated them.
Ore, who had no dancing experience before the series, and Joanne topped the leaderboard with 119 points out a possible 120, with the other two pairs both scoring 116 points.
After his last dance – a jive to the Bruno Mars hit Runaway Baby – Ore was told by Craig Revel Horwood: “I can’t bear it, you’re so good, darling. Nothing to complain about – and I hate that. Absolutely virtuosic.”
After Danny and Oti Mabuse’s samba scored full marks, judge Bruno Tonioli exclaimed: “One for the history books. It will never be forgotten!”
Louise and her partner Kevin Clifton also scored a 40 – their first of the series.
Their showstopper, a bal letic number to Whitney Houston’s One Moment in Time, moved Bruno to tears. He said: “The best lift was the one you gave to my heart – expressive, lyrical and touching, full of the joy of dance”.
The judges’ comments and scores were for guidance only, with viewers having the deciding vote as to who picked up the glitterball trophy.
Scottish singer-songwriter Emeli Sandé performed while all the series contestants returned for a final number.
Viewers’ favourite, former Labour MP Ed Balls, said: “It’s been such a special experience and I’ve loved every minute of it.”
The final also signalled head judge’s Len Goodman’s swansong.
The 72-year- old bowed out of the BBC1 dance contest with contestants past and present paying tribute. He was given a standing ovation.
Len told the cheering crowd: “I will miss everything about the show, I promise you.
“I’ll miss just turning up and the anticipation at what’s going to occur.”