Strictly Stacey is belle of the ball
BBC golden girl triumphs in glitterball showdown
TV presenter and Kevin Clifton lift famous trophy after thrilling final
Stacey
Dooley was crowned the queen of Strictly last night after winning the show’s famous glitterball trophy in a spectacular final.
The 31-year-old investigative reporter came out on top after taking on vlogger Joe Sugg and singers Faye Tozer and Ashley Roberts in the finale of the show’s 16th series.
But broadcasting experts said she was already the series’ big winner even before the results were in.
Stacey and her pro partner Kevin Clifton topped the viewers’ vote to win the contest despite the judges giving them the lowest marks of the four pairings in the final.
They gave two couples – former Pussycat Dolls star Ashley and partner Pasha Kovalev, and Steps singer Faye and Giovanni Pernice – top marks for all three dances in the final, 120 out of 120.
But some critics said the progress made by Stacey and Joe Sugg was more impressive because they had no formal dance training.
Stacey’s dance partner Kevin Clifton had been in the final four times before but never won. In tears after the result was announced, he said: “It’s a Christmas miracle.”
Too emotional at first to say anything, Stacey finally managed to thank Kevin, calling him “the biggest gem”.
She added: “It’s very daunting doing something you’ve never done before, and thn Kevin walks you through it. “Kevin, you so deserve this.”
He told her: “You are absolutely wonderful. You’ve worked so hard and you are so lovely.”
Excited Stacey helped other dancers hoist cheering Kevin into the air, screaming and laughing at her success as the audience gave the pair a standing ovation.
Judge Craig Revel Horwood said this year’s show had been “the best”.
He said: “The 2018 series has exceeded all expectations.”
Stacey was previously best known among 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: “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 suspected people get in through their connections and public school backgrounds. Now there are
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Stacey is a poster girl for diversity. I can see her getting a prime time slot
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 Strictly, saying: “The lovely thing for me 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 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 walks in and I’m making a tea and watching ballroom dancing on my phone like a complete lunatic.”
Their foxtrot to Hi Ho Silver Lining and stunning showdance to Land Of A Thousand Dances won the hearts of viewers.
The marathon two-and-a-half-hour spectacular on BBC1 saw all four couples perform stunning routines.
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.
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 as a Youtube sensation, performed a fierce and feisty Paso Doble to Pompeii, by Bastille.