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As it happenedended

Strictly Come Dancing final 2020 - live: Bill Bailey crowned winner after closest race in years

It was a heartwarming conclusion to an impressive series

Jacob Stolworthy
Saturday 19 December 2020 18:54 GMT
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Bill Bailey and Oti Mabuse dance to 'Rapper's Delight' on Strictly

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Strictly Come Dancing 2020  has been a shorter but no less entertaining run of the BBC competition.

The series began in September having adhered to Covid safety regulations, and has entertained viewers weekly since.

As with every series to date, there have been ups, downs and bizarre performances (here’s looking at Max George and Dianne Buswell’s dance to the Simpsons theme).

With the final four in place, the stage was set for what was being touted as the closest finale in years – and ended in the most heartwarming manner possible.

Follow along with all the live updates as they occurred below

He’s performing the “Rapper’s Delight" Street/Commercial routine from earlier this series.

Jacob Stolworthy19 December 2020 19:43

Big love for Bill over on Twitter.

Jacob Stolworthy19 December 2020 19:45

Judge’s score for Bill’s final dance:

Craig – 9

Shirley – 10

Motsi – 10

Jacob Stolworthy19 December 2020 19:47

For her final dance – which is her favourite from the series – Maisie is performing the Quickstep.

Jacob Stolworthy19 December 2020 19:49

Motsi Mabuse just led a standing ovation for everyone who has put this year’s show together behind the camera in such a trying year.

Jacob Stolworthy19 December 2020 19:54

Final scores for Maisie’s final dance:

Craig – 9

Shirley – 10

Motsi – 10

Jacob Stolworthy19 December 2020 19:55

Tonight’s leaderboard is:

HRVY, Bill, Maisie – 88

Jamie – 84

Jacob Stolworthy19 December 2020 19:56

And now we have a live assessment from Bruno Tonioli, who had to miss this year’s show due to Covid regulations.

Jacob Stolworthy19 December 2020 19:57

I thought this too…

Jacob Stolworthy19 December 2020 19:58

RIGHT, now every dance has been performed, here’s the final summary from our resident expert, Emma Bullimore.

“With all of the dances performed, this is surely a two horse race between HRVY and Bill. HRVY's razzle dazzle Chorus Line routine raised the roof and even left Janette's husband Aljaž in tears. He hasn't put a foot wrong this series. But Bill has captured the public's imagination - a 2020 hero, whose toe-tapping 'Rapper's Delight; street dance left us all beaming. When he was announced for the show, most of us thought he would be a joke act. But once the votes are counted, Bill may well have the last laugh...”

Jacob Stolworthy19 December 2020 19:59

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