Strictly Come Dancing final: Ellie and Vito announced as winners of the 2023 show

It was a night of laughter, tears, and lots of flammable outfits

Strictly Come Dancing reveals winners of 2023 show

Strictly Come Dancing 2023 is officially over, with Ellie Leach announced as the winner of the Glitterball Trophy.

Coronation Street star Leach battled it out in a sparkling finale against EastEnders actor Bobby Brazier and Bad Education’s Layton Williams to impress the viewers at home.

When Leach, 22, was announced as the winner of Strictly, her family jumped around so enthusiastically in the audience that they almost toppled over.

“I actually genuinely cannot believe this,” Leach breathlessly told hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly.

She has become the 21st Strictly champion, and the eighth actor to win the trophy. It’s also a big moment for her pro partner Vito Coppola, who only joined the BBC One competition last year.

Catch up with everything that happened on the night, below...

Key points

• Angela Scanlon accidentally gives away Strictly final spoiler
• Amy Dowden details how Strictly ‘saved her life’
• Strictly: Jeff Brazier sends sweet message to son Bobby ahead of final

[16 December 2023 19:24 · Ellie Harrison]

Bobby Brazier’s served up his Samba

His Judges’ Pick was the Samba to “Young Hearts Run Free” by Candi Staton... the crowd loved him and his dad Jeff was in the audience of course! Cute.

[16 December 2023 19:28 · Ellie Harrison]

39 for Bobby!

Bobby got four eights last week... he’s improved on that already for the final with 9, 10, 10, 10 in his first dance tonight - that’s 39. No 40s yet... who will be first to get a perfect score?

[16 December 2023 19:35 · Ellie Harrison]

Layton nailed the Judges’ Pick

The Bad Education star performed his Quickstep (from way back in week two!) to “Puttin’ On The Ritz” by Gregory Porter. “I’m so glad it paid off,” he said.

[16 December 2023 19:36 · Ellie Harrison]

Layton’s scores

10 from Craig! And 10, 10, 10. That’s our first 40 of the night wahoo!

[16 December 2023 19:45 · Ellie Harrison]

Ellie and Vito struggle with the lifts in the Showdance

But Motsi reckons it’s worth a standing ovation anyway! Their Showdance was to a “Jennifer Lopez Megamix”. Shirley says it’s “one of the hardest routines I’ve ever seen”.

[16 December 2023 19:49 · Ellie Harrison]

A glimpse of Ellie and Vito after their Showdance

They got 9, 9, 9, 9 ... so that’s 36!

After the lift-tastic routine (BBC)

[16 December 2023 20:00 · Ellie Harrison]

Bobby and Dianne’s Showdance was bursting with energy

“Actually brilliant,” said Craig, but still a 9 from him. Plus 10, 10, 10... that’s 39. No one’s matched Layton’s 40 yet!

[16 December 2023 20:06 · Ellie Harrison]

Layton does bonkers back-flip in his Showdance

The screams from the crowd went on for so long at the end of the routine that Anton said: “Well, there’s not much to add is there?” The routine was mad, and included an extremely impressive back-flip. This man is unstoppable!

[16 December 2023 20:09 · Ellie Harrison]

Layton’s scores...

9, 10, 10, 10... again, don’t forget the scores are just for guidance in the final! Viewer votes trump all.

[16 December 2023 20:16 · Ellie Harrison]

Ellie doing her last dance of the series

Ellie’s American Smooth to “Ain’t That A Kick In The Head” by Robbie Williams...

Vito and Ellie (BBC)