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

[17 December 2023 11:59 · Nicole Vassell]

‘BBC lost the plot when casting Layton Williams,’ says Dame Esther Rantzen

According to Dame Esther Rantzen, musical theatre star Layton Williams should never have been a part of Strictly Come Dancing, claiming that he had an unfair advantage compared to other competitors.

“A professional dancer like the brilliant Layton Williams should never be given a role as a contestant in Strictly,” she wrote in a letter for The Telegraph. “It’s unfair to all the others, and to the viewers.”

Ellie Harrison reports:

[17 December 2023 12:55 · Nicole Vassell]

Strictly fans brand Amy Dowden ‘true winner’ as dancer makes surprise return to show

Amy Dowden thrilled Strictly viewers last night as she made a surprise appearance during the opening group number.

The professional dancer, 33, has been a staple of the BBC dance competition since she joined in 2017, and is much-loved among fans of the show.

However, Dowden did not compete in 2023’s series due to undergoing treatment for breast cancer, which included chemotherapy and a mastectomy earlier this year.

On Saturday’s (16 December) final episode, which saw actor Ellie Leach become the youngest-ever winner, Dowden delighted fans by joining in a routine with her professional colleagues.

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