Strictly final live: Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell win Glitterball Trophy in tear-jerking finale
The comedian took home the glitterball trophy after reducing all the judges to tears with his emotional final performances
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Your support makes all the difference.Strictly Come Dancing 2024 has been won by Chris McCausland and his partner Dianne Buswell,
The pair were vying against Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola, Tasha Ghouri dancing with Aljaž Škorjanec and JB Gill and his pro partner Lauren Oakley in Saturday night’s grand final.
McCausland was a firm favourite to win, and is now the first blind contestant to become a Strictly champion.
The comedian’s first two dances of the night had an emotional impact, as judges Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas were left in tears.
And his third caused even more sobbing. McCausland and Buswell were both in tears at the end of their routine — a performance of their Waltz to “You Never Walk Alone.” Buswell’s parents in the audience were also crying, along with the panel and seemingly everyone in the Clauditorium.
Prior to the live final, McCausland is reported to have faced a last-minute change of plan as his parents couldn’t travel to Hertfordshire to support him due to illness.
His mother Valerie had caught the flu, and was unable to travel from their home in Liverpool to the Elstree Studios in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, where the live final took place. McCausland’s father, John, told The Daily Mail he would be remaining at home to look after her.
Ahead of the final, McCausland’s dance partner Buswell broke down in tears when she was shown a clip of McCausland’s dancing journey on It Takes Two, and she praised him for being “the most honest man I’ve ever met”.
In tonight’s final, the couples danced three numbers each: a judge’s pick, a show dance and the couple’s favourite dance from the series.
Shirley Ballas in tears at Chris’s dance
Phew, it’s an emotional evening.
“You’ve broken new ground in this series,” Shirley said, wiping tears away from her eyes. “It’s so tricky what you did there beucase you had to move from dance to dance, and into footwork. Quite extraordinary, I applaud both of you.”
Anton said: “Are you the best dancer we’ve had on Strictly Come Dancing? Probably not. Are you the most extraordinary? Absolutely.” And for once, I have to agree with him.
Chris’s Show Dance delivers
It’s to “You Get What You Give” by New Radicals, and Chris has opened his performance by busting out of a box in the middle of the ballroom.
What a wondergul showcase of not just the moves Chris has learnt, but the partnership he and Dianne have, and the attitude they’ve brought to the competition.
I’ll never stop being amazed by how great his footwork is but this dance is all about vibes (and incredible lifts). And they’ve finished it off with a kneeslide. Amazing.
Emotional surprise for Tasha
Tasha has been surprised by her brother, who has watched the series from his home in Australia.
As Tasha explained how her sibling has been cheering her on from the other side of the world, a clearly emotional Claudia introduced him.
Tasha’s brother then gave her a huge huge in the Clauditorium, as Claud — and I’m sure everyone at home (myself included) — sobbed.
Tasha’s scores are in...
She’s got a 40! That puts her joint top of the leaderboard with JB.
Tasha goes for old Hollywood glam
That was stunning. There was barely a second to breathe during that non-stop routine, and that was just for me watching it. It had lifts, it had kicks, it had absolutely tonnes of old school glam. I loved it.
Can we take a second for the Strictly set designers too? What a beautiful set-up.
“This is the dream dance,” Anton said. “I’d like to think you did this just for me. This is show dancing. This is perfect.”
Craig said: “I’ve got to agree. Sass, style. Absolutely superb. Broadway ready, darling. I totally loved it.”
Tasha’s Show Dance is up next
She’s performing it to “Sing, Sing, Sing” by Benny Goodman.
“This show has been the best experience of my life so far,” she said in her VT.
“From day one I always felt that excitement from her,” said Aljaz. “We’ve gone through perfect scores, we’ve gone through dance-offs, she should be so proud of herself. She’s a winner for me every week.”
JB’s scores are in...
A 9 from Craig and 10s from the other judges give him a total of 39.
Judges ‘absolutely love’ JB’s routine
“I thought it was a little bit heavy in some places,” Craig said. “But the rhythm, the groove, is totally you. I absolutely loved that jazz bit, I thought it was a great, great routine.
“Thank you for bringing the party to Strictly Come Dancing,” said Motsi.
“I think you’re getting confused with heavy and grounded,” Shirley hit back at Craig.
JB’s sensational show dance
JB always looks like he’s having the best time, and this show dance is no different.
It’s a properly fun routine to a Motown medley, complete with different dance styles and stunning lifts (as we’ve come to expect from show dances). Bravo!
JB is first up with his show dance
Tonight’s live show will have more VTs and comedic bits than in previous episodes, mainly because there are more costume and set changes to allow for.
JB’s show dance is being preceeded by a lovely VT, which includes him reflecting on having two partners during the course of the show.
“I owe them both an incredible debt of gratitude,” he said of Amy Dowden and Lauren Oakley, who replaced her friend after injury. “Amy and Lauren are more than just dance teachers. They’ve helped to establish a love of dancing.”
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