Strictly Stacey is new champ
Documentary maker jumps for joy as she lands Strictly crown
Stacey Dooley is the new Strictly Come Dancing champion after capturing the hearts of millions of viewers.
The documentary maker walked off with the Glitterball despite scoring fewer points than her three rivals in last night’s final.
The series had been dogged with controversies over the perceived unfair advantage enjoyed by some contestants with professional dance backgrounds.
But the likeable Luton-born 31-year-old was one of the most popular winners in the show’s history.
Pint-sized Stacey beat off the challenge of Pussy cat Doll Ashley Roberts, Steps star Faye Toz er and YouTuber Joe Sugg.
St acey, who has made a series of acclaimed documentaries for the Beeb, was the overwhelming favourite with the bookies and duly triumphed.
She told a live TV audience: “I should say something poignant.”
Turning to dance partner Kevin Clifton, she said: “I think you are the biggest gem. You are patient, talented and your choreography is second to none.
“It’ s daunting doing something which you have not done before. You feel silly – like a bit of an idiot. But Kevin talks you through it.”
The judges picked a dance from the series which they thought the couples could improve on.
The pairings each then performed their show dance – which offered the chance to do any style with no rules.
Finally, each duo danced their favourite routine from the series, with viewers then deciding the winner.
First up were Ashley and her partner Pasha Kovalev, dancing a routine chosen by the judges, who had picked a salsa to (I’ve Had The) Time Of My Life by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes.
Head judge Shirley Ballas said of their take on the Dirty Dancing classic: “When you think something just can’t get better, you managed to take it to the next level. It was brilliant.”
The former Pussycat Dolls star opened the night with a perfect score of 40, earning a 10 from every judge.
Second on the f loor were Stacey and Kevin dancing the foxtrot to Hi Ho Silver Lining by Jeff Beck in a motorcyclethemed routine.
Ballas said Stacey was capable of a perfect performance if she added “a tiny little more clarity and quality” to her previous rendition.
She earned a cumulative score of 39 out of a possible 40.
The third couple to grace the floor for the final were Steps star Faye and her professional partner Giovanni Pernice.
They danced a slow, impas-ssioneded Viennesenese waltz to It’s A Man’sn’s Man’s Man’ss World by Seal.
Judge Revel Horwood said: “I do love a bit of drama and I rather enjoyed that. You have come so far.”
Faye earned a perfect score of 40.
Joe and Dianne Buswell danced the paso doble to Pompeii by Bastille.
The fiery, matador-themed rouroutine drew a sstanding ovatiovation. Host Tess Daly said: “YouYo mean business, ddon’t you, Joe?” He earned a cumulative score of 39. The show dances saw the couples cut loose and choose a style and song with no rules Ashley and Pasha’s routine to Keeping Your Head Up by Birdy went down storm with the judges, who scored them a perfect 40. Stacey and Kevin’s take on
Land Of A Thousand Dances by Jessica Mauboy was deemed less than perfect by the judges, who gave it 36.
Faye and Giovanni’s routine to various artists’ Lullaby Of Broadway was another smash hit for the couple and earned them another perfect 40.
Joe and Dianne’s intense routine to the Arctic Monkeys’ I Bet You Look Good On The Dancef loor gained a near- perfect 39 points from the judges.
Ashley opened the third round of dances, in which the finalists chose their favourite dance of the series to repeat.
She chose the Charleston, which she danced to Witch Doctor by Don Lang. Dressed as portly trolls and inspired by The Troll Movie, the pair’s rout i ne earned them a standing ovation.
Ballas said: “You really are a beautiful troll, I have to say.”
Ashley scored another perfect total, earning 40.
Stacey’s final dance saw her take on the paso doble to
Malaguena by Brian Setzer, sparking the loudest cheers of the night.
Judge Bruno Tonioli hailed her “sass” while Horwood said her dance had been “powerful and driven”.
Fellow judge Darcey Bussell said: “Stacey, for a tiny little thing, you can be a very fierce lady. There must be some Latin blood in you. I love you in this character.” She scored a total of 39. Faye chose to revisit her couple’s choice routine to Fever by Peggy Lee in the style of theatre and jazz. Tonioli said: “Amazing.”
Faye secured her third perfect score of the night.
Ashley and Pasha and Faye and Giovanni ended joint top of the scoreboard with a perfect 120 points each.
Joe and Dianne were next with 116 while Stacey and Kevin were last with 114.
But last night’s judges’ scores were for guidance only and it was the public’s votes which decided the winner.