Stacey tipped for stardom after stellar Strictly
Experts say dance show favourite will become BBC golden girl
Stacey Dooley was being tipped as the new queen of the BBC last night as she hit the floor in the final of Strictly Come Dancing.
The 31-year-old presenter took on vlogger Joe Sugg and singers Faye Tozer and Ashley Roberts in the series finale but broadcasting experts claim she is already the series’ big winner.
The investigative reporter was previously known to younger BBC3 viewers but commentators believe her personality and performance have been showcased in Strictly and cemented her position as the BBC’s new golden girl.
John Cook, professor in media at Glasgow Caledonian University, said: “Stacey is one of the new wave of presenters, many of whom came through BBC Three.
“Her working class persona is very important to the BBC at the moment when diversity is such a hot-button topic.
“There is obviously gender and ethnicity, but buried slightly below that is class as well. There is an attempt to put more regionally diverse accents on screen.
“So, when the BBC find someone like Stacey they are keen to promote them.
“It has always been seen that people get in through their connections and public school backgrounds. Now there is tremendous efforts at entry level within the BBC about trying to encourage people from diverse backgrounds.
“Stacey is like a poster girl for that. I can definitely see her getting more of a prime time slot.”
Stacey herself has spoken of how much she has enjoyed appearing on an upbeat show, in contrast to the investigative work she has previously been involved in.
She said: “The lovely thing for me personally is you’re able to have conversations with the general public about lighter, celebratory things.
“Sometimes work is so intense and can be so harrowing. It’s very serious and it has to be, the subjects are very dark a lot of time.”
She said she had been surprised by how much she enjoyed ballroom dancing, adding: “Sometimes Kev (her professional partner Kevin Clifton) walks in and I’m making a tea and watching ballroom dancing on my phone like a complete lunatic.”
Stacey and Kevin’s foxtrot to Hi Ho Silver Lining and stunning showdance to Land of a Thousand Dances, combined with her favourite dance wowed the judges and viewers.
For Kevin, one of the show’s most popular stars, the triumph was fifth time lucky. He had previously reached the final with Susanna Reid, Frankie Bridge,
‘ Stacey is a poster girl for diversity. I can see her getting a prime time slot.
Kellie Bright and Louise Redknapp, only to fall at the final hurdle.
Last night’s show also saw a return to the Strictly dancefloor for comedian Seann Walsh whose drunken kiss with pro partner Katya Jones caused trouble with her fellow dancer husband Neil.
The marathon two-and-a-half-hour spectacular on BBC1 saw all four couples perform stunning routines in a bid to come out on top.
Former Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts, 37, who had been in the dance-off each of the previous three weeks after a backlash over her extensive dance experience, did her Salsa to (I’ve Had The) Time Of My Life from Dirty Dancing.
Steps star Faye Tozer, 43, who had also faced some criticism for having been extensively trained in dance, did an emotive Viennese Waltz to It’s A Man’s Man’s Man’s World.
And surprise package, Joe Sugg, 27, previously best known on as a YouTube vlogger – performed a fierce and feisty Paso Doble to Pompeii, by Bastille.
The social media star has been credited with bringing a new, younger audience to the show with many of his eight million YouTube subscribers tuning in. It had been thought that some of his fans who had found a way to vote from abroad may have influenced the result.
There had been speculation that this series would be the first to feature a same-sex couple.
Although that was ruled out for this year by the BBC, it has been backed by judge Craig Revel Horwood.
Strictly will be back with its annual festive special on Christmas Day.