It was the “clash of the sporting titans” (as Bruno pointed out). Rugby player, Matt Dawson versus cricketer Mark Ramprakash. Both brilliant. I really had no idea who was going to be better on the night. During the introductions, Matt looked visibly nervous (if not petrified) while Mark seemed more relaxed (he even managed to laugh at one of Bruce’s jokes).

Matt and Lilia were up first (which they’d apparently tossed a coin for) and their film showed how Matt’s come so far, really highlighting his personality and relationship with Lilia which, like last year with Darren Gough, has been key to his success.

Matt and Lilia’s Waltz

This made me cry last time and it was just as beautiful this time. Lilia’s dress was stunning and Matt looked confident. For me it was perfect, I couldn’t fault it at all, and Bruno said Matt hadn’t put a foot wrong, but Arlene would have liked a bit more sway. Len reckoned that, rather than “matt” as he was at the beginning, he’d become “the primer, the undercoat, and the full gloss”. 9s from Craig and Arlene and 10s from Len, Bruno and me.

Mark and Karen’s Tango

The Tango really is a very silly dance, but Mark and Karen performed this one impeccably and I felt excitement bubbling inside. Mark’s shoulders still have a tendency to hunch forward, so it wasn’t perfect and the judges agreed - even though it “a vast improvement” on last time, according to Craig, they complained that there weren’t enough heel leads. 8s from Craig and Arlene and 9s from Len and Bruno and, um, me.

Matt and Lilia’s Samba

This was better than last time, but I still didn’t love it. They seemed like they were enjoying it and Matt’s improved so much, but he’s still a little stiff and self-conscious during the Latin. Craig didn’t see any improvement on last time and Arlene claimed it looked like “bad dancing at a party,” but Len thought it was lovely and much better than the last time. 7s from Craig and Arlene, a 9 from Len and 8 from me and Bruno.

Mark and Karen’s Salsa

This was the dance that was almost a disaster last time when they got caught up in the microphone wire and had to start again. The second go was incredible, the atmosphere was fantastic, so expectations were probably highest for this dance and it didn’t disappoint. Even better than last time, you could see how much they were enjoying it and how relaxed they were - Mark was even singing along. Like last week’s Argentine Tango, when you compare Mark’s Salsa with Matt’s Samba you can really see an enormous difference. I loved it and gave it a 10 as did all - all! - four judges (Craig’s only 10 of the series). Yep, 40 out of 40! Brilliant. (They even got a standing ovation and Arlene pointed out that Mark’s smile could “light up the fogbound runways at Heathrow”!)

Carry on over the cut for the rest of the final - three more dances each! - and the return of some old favourites ...

Next up we had dances from some of the previous contestants, Nicholas, Mica, Jimmy, Spoony, Georgina and Jan, which served as a reminder of the contestants who went out before their time (Spoony) and those who outstayed their welcome (Georgina and Jan).

Finally for this section was the Judges Choice. The judges chose a piece of music equally suited to a number of different dances - Jackie Wilson’s Higher and Higher (on It Takes Two Arlene let slip that she’d nixed a Girls Aloud song).

Matt and Lilia were first with a gorgeous Quickstep including “jetes” - little leaps - that fitted perfectly with the music. They changed couples part way through and, as they were briefly all on the floor at the same time - Matt and Mark high-fiving each other, it really reinforced what is so great about this show: a cricketer and a rugby player looking like professional dancers and having the time of their lives. I wiped away a little tear and watched Mark and Karen’s Samba. It was great (and seemed quite a bit longer than Matt and Lilia’s bit), but it suffered for being a little too similar to the Salsa they’d just performed. The judges all gave 9s for both dances (leaving Matt and Lilia on 105 for all three and Mark and Karen on 110).

The remaining former contestants were up next: Ray, Peter, Claire (I bet rehearsals were entertaining with her and Brendan back together), Carol, Louisa and Emma, proving again just how great the standard has been.

After the break (during which we watched the National Lottery: In It To Win It show in which one of the contestants was a madly camp man of whom Dale Winton asked, “So did you bring your wife with you tonight?” Genius) it was time for the group Viennese Waltz and again, for me, there was nothing to choose between Matt and Mark. It was beautiful and flawless and earned another standing ovation. And then it was time for the dance everyone had been waiting for - the freestyle Show Dance.

Obviously the freestyle is close to Latin than Ballroom, so hopes weren’t as high for Matt as Mark, but he and Lilia came out and did an interesting routine. Lilia looked amazing in an incredible costume, there were a lot of great lifts, but Matt didn’t do a huge amount and, again, didn’t look entirely comfortable. Unlike Lilia’s Show Dance with Darren last year, which is generally credited with winning them the competition (and Colin and Erin’s was so awful, it lost them the competition), it wasn’t a thriller. It did, however, earn them a standing ovation.

Mark and Karen’s was certainly thrilling. Incredible lifts, and Karen cleverly included lots of highlights from their previous Latin dances. Again Mark looked relaxed, comfortable, and like he was having the time of his life. In fact, in most if not all of Mark’s dances, you would never know he wasn’t a professional dancer. I had been sure Matt was going to win, but by this point changed my mind - helped by a double standing ovation, even the judges were on their feet - and had my fingers crossed for Mark (oh, and I voted too).

While the votes were counted, we were treated to a song and dance from “Sir” Bruce and all the former contestants, which was fantastically old-school and cheesy. Brilliant. It really is pure quality Saturday night entertainment, isn’t it?

And then, following the announcement that over 12 million people had voted and that £1.5million had been raised for Children In Need over the course of the series, Mark and Karen were crowned Strictly champions! And didn’t they look delighted (and sweaty)? Very well-deserved.

This series has been notable for the standard of its competitors, half of whom were great at at least Ballroom or Latin and a third of whom were pretty damn good at both. Amazing. How on earth are they going to top it next year?

[Keris Stainton]

Strictly Come Dancing Week 1; Strictly Come Dancing Week 2 ; Strictly Come Dancing Week 3; Strictly Come Dancing Week 4; Strictly Come Dancing Week 5; Strictly Come Dancing: Week 6; Strictly Come Dancing: Week 7; Strictly Come Dancing: Week 8; Strictly Come Dancing: Week 9; Strictly Come Dancing: Week 10; Strictly Come Dancing: Week 11.

 

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