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.
Strictly’s grand final has begun
Here we go! In just under two and a half hours time, we’ll be watching one pair lift the Glitterball trophy. But who could it be? The competition genuinely seems pretty open this year — though Chris McCausland has emerged as the favourite in the run-up to tonight’s show.
Whether you’re tuning in at home or quietly checking your phone while out at a Christmas do, I’ll be here to guide you through an exciting night.
Everything you need to know about finalist Sarah Hadland’s ‘Strictly’ journey
She’s been told by judges that she’s got the “best legs” in the competition and routinely wowed fans with her impressive moves. But does Sarah Hadland have what it takes to take home the glitterball trophy? Take a look back at her Strictly journey, below.
Meet Sarah Hadland, the comedian and Miranda star taking to the Strictly dance floor
The actor is best known for her role as Stevie in the BBC sitcom ‘Miranda’
JB Gill, the JLS star whose pro partner changed halfway through the series
JB Gill has made his way to the final – but it hasn’t been a steady journey. His previous partner, Amy Dowden, was forced to pull out of the competition after she sustained an injury. Still, though, the former JLS singer has powered through.
Read more below:
Meet the JLS member battling through Strictly Come Dancing chaos
The ‘One Shot’ singer was paired with Amy Dowden until injury intervened
Tasha Ghouri’s journey from being Love Island’s first ever deaf contestant to Strictly Come Dancing
Among this year’s finalists is 26-year-old Tasha Ghouri – a model, TV personality and charity ambassador.
Ghouri shot to fame for being the first ever deaf contestant to appear on reality dating show Love Island.
She has proven herself to be a natural on the dancefloor, regularly landing some of the highest scores on the leaderboard including the first 10s of the season. She is partnered with pro Aljaz Skorjanec, and her performances have been called “practically perfect” by judge Anton Du Beke.
Read more here:
Tasha Ghouri, from being Love Island’s first deaf contestant to Strictly
Ghouri fell in love with dance when she felt the ‘bass and vibrations’ through the huge speakers in her home
The full list of songs and dances for tonight’s final
Each couple will dance three times each in tonight’s live final, including one judge’s pick, one show dance and a couple’s favourite dance. Find out all of the songs and dance styles below.
JB Gill and Lauren Oakley
Judge’s Pick: Viennese Waltz to “Let’s Go Fly A Kite” from Mary Poppins
Show Dance: Motown Medley
Couple’s Favourite Dance: Samba to “Mas Que Nada” by Sergio Mendes
Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell
Judge’s Pick: Couple’s Choice to “Instant Karma! (We All Shine On)” by John Lennon
Show Dance: “You Get What You Give” by New Radicals
Couple’s Favourite Dance: Waltz to “You’ll Never Walk Alone” by Gerry and the Pacemakers
Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola
Judge’s Pick: American Smooth to “Proud” by Heather Small
Show Dance: “Cabaret” by Metropole Orkest
Couple’s Favourite Dance: Cha Cha to “Like A Prayer” by Madonna
Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec
Judge’s Pick: Couple’s Choice to “What About Us” by P!nk
Show Dance: “Sing, Sing, Sing” by Benny Goodman
Couple’s Favourite Dance: American Smooth to “Someone You Loved” by Lewis Capaldi
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