Strictly Come Dancing may be over for 2013 but that doesnāt mean itās off our screens for good. Every year the show enjoys a Christmas special which is the point of the day where everyone is stuffed and needs to relax with the family for a bit.
This yearās special started with a pro dance at Lapland UK before introducing the six celebrities who would be competing for the festive Glitterball Trophy. What a spectacular start to what promises to be the best festive special yet.
Kicking off the Christmas special this year was EastEnders actor Ricky Norwood and his pro partner Janette Manrara. In his intro VT Ricky admitted he was delighted to be partnered with Janette. He admitted he had a little bit of dance experience but said that learning ballroom was completely different. Ricky revealed that perfecting his posture has been his biggest challenge in the training room. He started his Quickstep by snowboarding onto the dancefloor.
Len explained that there are no rules for the Christmas special and admitted that lifts were allowed. He said the dance started great but lost energy in the middle of the routine. Bruno said he liked that Ricky kept the dance current and told him he really enjoyed it. Craig said Ricky used his shoulder to lead the dance but admitted he loved the entrance. Darcey said she enjoyed the Quickstep part of the routine.
Ricky and Janette scored 33 out of 40 from the judges.
Second to dance during the show was West End legend Elaine Paige and her partner Pasha Kovalev. In her intro VT Elaine said she loved the glamour and the costumes, and revealed she was very happy to be dancing with Pasha. In the training room Elaine was struggling to keep her laughter under control. She also struggled with the lifts. Did Elaine manage to pull it all together for her Cha Cha?
Bruno said that it was ācarry on Christmasā with Elaine and complimented her performance level. Craig said he expected Elaine to be brilliant and told her she lived up to his expectations. Darcey called her a ālittle moverā and told Elaine that she took control of Pasha. Len said that Elaine ājingledā his bells and told her she did a wonderful job.
Elaine and Pasha scored 39 out of 40 from the judges.
The third couple to dance tonight was DJ Sara Cox and her partner Robin Windsor. In her intro VT Sara revealed how she likes to spend Christmas and said this year she was going to be sparkly. She admitted that she was struggling to be graceful as sheās not a naturally elegant person. Robin said that he had to teach Sara to be led rather than to lead. Did Sara perfect her gracefulness for her Waltz?
Craig said it was like a āChristmas cracker that did not explodeā and told Sara her frame left a lot to be desired. Darcey said it was like Sara was on ice and told her she glided effortlessly creating āa beautiful feelā all the way through. Len said it was like waking up on Christmas morning and told Sara that Craig was wrong. Bruno agreed with Len and told Sara she was transformed into a Christmas Angel.
Sara and Robin scored 33 out of 40 from the judges.
The Saturdaysā singer Rochelle Humes was the next to dance and sheās had a bit of experience with Strictly before having danced against Harry Judd during a Comic Relief special. Rochelle was dancing with Ian Waite and admitted in her intro VT that she thinks people just expect her to be a good dancer. During training Rochelle took her young baby with her as she attempted to learn the Salsa. Did she pick up all the moves?
Darcey kicked off the comments and said it was āa cracker of a Salsa with plenty of hip actionā but told her the footwork was a bit wild. Len said Rochelle āwent to townā and likened the routine to a āparty popperā telling her she got a bit messy in parts. Bruno said Rochelle was āfull of spiritā. Craig said it was āall over the toy shopā but told Rochelle he was pleased she went for it.
Rochelle and Ian scored 31 out of 40 from the judges.
The penultimate couple to dance was Matt Goss and his partner Aliona Vilani. Dancing in the ballroom was a long way from Vegas where Matt is used to performing these days. Matt fit in training alongside his shows which Aliona admitted had been tough. Matt admitted that he didnāt have a clue what he was doing in the rehearsal room. Did he learn the steps for his American Smooth?
Len said the routine was āglossā and told Matt he did well despite losing his posture. Bruno said it was āChristmas at the Ritzā and āhigh societyā telling Matt he did very well. Craig gave some critique but said he liked the lifts and called the routine ābeautifully elegantā. Darcey said the routine was ābeautifulā.
Matt and Aliona scored 35 out of 40 from the judges.
Last to dance tonight was Rufus Hound and his partner Flavia Cacace. The comedian has won a dance show before when he performed as Cheryl Cole on Letās Dance for Comic Relief. Flavia has returned to the ballroom after leaving the show earlier this year to concentrate on other projects. Rufus and Flavia danced the Tango? Could he claim another dancefloor victory?
Bruno called it a ānutcracker of a Tangoā and told Rufus he enjoyed it. Craig said it was one of the most abnormal and unusual Tangoās heās ever seen but admitted he loved it. Darcey said Rufus was an āunusually hot Eskimoā and told him she liked it very much. Len said it was great fun and told Rufus he āthoroughly enjoyed itā.
Rufus and Flavia scored 38 out of 40 from the judges.
Now that everyone had danced it was over to the studio audience to have their vote but first there was a performance from choirboy Jack Topping who sang his new single Tomorrow. Karen Hauer and Pasha Kovalev took to the ballroom to dance whilst Jack performed.
The stars of this yearās series of Strictly visited a childrenās hospital to spread some festive cheer and entertain some of the kids. Janette Manrara and Kevin Clifton performed for people at the hospital putting a smile on everyoneās faces.
The leaderboard for the special was:
Elaine Paige and Pasha Kovalev ā 39
Rufus Hound and Flavia Cacace – 38
Matt Goss and Aliona Vilani ā 35
Ricky Norwood and Janette Manrara ā 33
Sara Cox and Robin Windsor ā 33
Rochelle Humes and Ian Waite ā 31
The winner of the Christmas Special was Rufus Hound and his partner Flavia Cacace. His festive comedy Tango obviously struck the right chord with the studio audience giving the comedian the edge over leaderboard topper Elaine Paige and her partner Pasha Kovalev.
The show came to a close with a group dance featuring all six couples, Anton Du Beke and Karen Hauer.
Strictly Come Dancing will return for a brand new series in the New Year. Weāre counting down the days already!