It was a night of high-quality hoofing, high scores and high camp but ultimately, the Strictly Come Dancing final went the way that bookmakers predicted. Odds-on favourite Ellie Leach and her professional partner, Vito Coppola, were crowned champions. As they lifted the glitter ball trophy and sparkly confetti fell, it made a fitting climax to another feelgood series.
Former Coronation Street actor Leach, 22, had blossomed before viewers’ eyes. Initially an unfancied contender, she visibly grew in confidence to become a pocket rocket performer.
Combining strong technique with storytelling skills, this likeable all-rounder was equally accomplished at ballroom or Latin. The West End stage surely awaits this infectiously joyous dancer.
Fan favourite Coppola reached last year’s final in his debut series, finishing runner-up with partner Fleur East. Now the Italian went one better, having formed a dynamic partnership with Leach. A rumoured romance between them didn’t do any harm in terms of dancefloor chemistry.
Leach sweetly dedicated her win to her partner, saying: “For once, you’re crying more than me. So this is for you.” Coppola said: “You are a diamond from the rough and finally you can shine. I am so proud. You are beautiful.” The judges added that she’d “arrived as a girl but left as a woman”.
The audience was expected to reach 11 million for this gala grand final, putting the star on top of a sparkling 21st series. Other reality TV franchises might be flagging but the BBC ballroom blockbuster remains buoyant. It’s become as much a part of the countdown to Christmas as Advent calendars and supermarket ad campaigns.
Over the past 13 weeks, 15 pro-celebrity pairings had been whittled down to three. All the finalists were actors in their 20s, making it the youngest Strictly final ever. During a two-hour finale, they performed three routines apiece in their bid for the title: their own favourite from the series, the judging panel’s pick and the eagerly anticipated, anything-goes showdance.
Last woman standing Leach has been the most consistent performer all series – almost always scoring 35 points or above, a fixture near the top of the leaderboard – but somehow finished bottom of the judges’ scoreboard here.
Her pasodoble was fierce and her American smooth was Hollywood-worthy but her showdance’s ambitious lifts wobbled. Happily, she’d already won the hearts of Strictly viewers.
Leach was the only finalist never to have been consigned to the dreaded dance-off. A female champion was also most welcome in a contest that’s been male-dominated in recent years. Before Leach’s triumph, only two women had won in the past eight series.
Layton Williams and his pro partner, Nikita Kuzmin, were bidding to become the first same-sex couple to win the title. Over the course of the contest, Williams notched four perfect 40s, topped the leaderboard in more than half the weeks and was the highest scorer overall. He only dropped one point across three dances in the final, scoring 119 out of 120, and topped the scoreboard.
However, the result in the final is decided by viewer votes alone. With his stage school training and musical theatre pedigree, Williams was perceived to have a head-start in a competition for amateurs.
The British public’s sense of fair play meant that he lacked the viewer support to carry him over the line. Despite Williams being an electrifying performer, Strictly fans have long preferred a novice who improves each week and goes on that oft-mentioned “journey”. Having faced an unfair backlash and vile online trolling, the inspirational Williams insisted that “Love wins”.
The third finalist was EastEnders actor Bobby Brazier, alongside his dance partner Dianne Buswell. At a fresh-faced 20, Brazier was the youngest ever male finalist but blossomed into a stylish and elegant performer. The son of the late reality star Jade Goody dedicated his emotional Couple’s Choice routine to his mother’s memory and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
Brazier had star quality to burn and has charmed the nation. His La La Land-inspired showdance was a jazzy stunner and all three of his routines scored a near-perfect 39. In many other year’s he would’ve won. Unfortunately for him, this was one of the highest standard series in 20 years.
The Strictly class of 2023 all returned to the ballroom for one last celebratory group dance. It was a chance to relive memorable moments, from Les Dennis’s disco samba to high-kicking Angela Rippon’s leg lift.
Just when things couldn’t get any camper, veteran pop diva Cher arrived as the musical guest and Years & Years frontman Olly Alexander dropped in to announce that he would be representing the UK at next year’s Eurovision song contest.
Arguably the most heartwarming stories to emerge from this series came from further down the field. Channel 4 newsreader Krishnan Guru-Murthy embraced the experience (even the sequins and guyliner) and found happiness through dance. Former tennis player Annabel Croft, widowed only six months ago, danced through her grief and rediscovered her confidence.
It is such transformations, rather than perfect scores or bauble wins, which embody the true spirit of Strictly. The 21st series was a beacon of positivity, diversity and camaraderie. What could be more cheering a week before Christmas?
