I was not necessarily as geared up for this final as I was hoping - it all just seemed so predictable, and I knew it wasn’t going to be the emotional rollercoaster that other finals have been. However, I kept telling myself that stranger things have happened and Ellie might not just run away with it, right?

Great opening dance, by the way, so lovely to include both Amy and Nigel when their dancing was limited by injury.

Judge’s Picks

Ellie and Vito kicked things off with a repeat of their Paso Doble that looked perfect from where I was sitting but oddly didn’t get a top mark from Craig.

Bobby showed off his really rather remarkable hip action again with his Samba alongside Dianne. The huge balls or balloons on the floor right at the end were distracting though and actually looked like a trip hazard. Still only a 9 from Craig.

Only three finalists this year, of course, so wrapping up the judge’s selections with Layton and Nikita’s Quickstep. It looked good but I thought there were a couple of mistakes and it was the least impressive of the three so far. But what do I know? It got the full 40 score!

The terms and conditions were read out by some of the new cast of Gladiators and I quite enjoyed the male ballroom dancers showing off their inferiority complexes when it comes to biceps.

Showdances

Two of our three dances are medleys or megamixes, is it that a single song just isn’t enough to contain the talent anymore? Ellie and Vito kicked things off with J-Lo songs and a fast, fierce, frightening routine. The lifts were outrageous, completely ridiculous. It’s a shame it went wrong because going into that final lift she looked terrified. Craig got emotional, has that ever happened before?

Bobby’s dance was fine and good, but it didn’t really feel like a showdance, more like something we would have seen on movie week. But it was very fast and done very well, got good comments from the judges.

Layton and Nikita brought out the proper show dance, although Nikita had no luck with his hat at all. Anton says: “To be honest with you, it’s showing off.” And bless Nikita for admitting he was nervous - he’s gone up so much in my estimation over the last two series.

Couple’s Pick

Ellie’s American Smooth was very controlled, almost a bit stiff really, but she recovered well from the failed lift earlier. Top scores.

Bobby and Dianne recreated their Couple’s Choice which really didn’t help with everyone getting so emotional. Poor Dianne was in tears from about the midpoint of the dance!

Hard for Layton to finish that, I think, but equally, can’t leave off on such an emotional note, so Argentine Tango it is - just as good as the first time. Motsi was so funny, imitating Craig.

And so Ellie did win it! I didn’t doubt it after the slip up because people love a fighter and she was so impressive during that routine and then to follow it up without falling to pieces. Of the three, I wanted Layton to win, but ultimately I wanted Annabel to win so any of the three taking the glitterball was fine by me.

Already I can’t wait for next year, but we’ve still got the Christmas special in just over a week, so not long to wait until Tess & Claud badger us to keep dancing again - hooray!