It’s an expectation at this point, to go into the Strictly Come Dancing final, and now you’re going to be in floods of tears. This one took a little while to get me, but once the emotional showdance VTs started, I was there, I was with Motsi, any notion of appearing cool was out the window. It was nice to have four finalists again, and although we all sort of knew what the outcome was going to be before we started, I was ready to enjoy the show.

Judge’s Picks

JB & Lauren started the show with their Viennese Waltz in Mary Poppins garb, and I think I enjoyed this more than I did the first time round. The choreography fit the lyrics and the sway of the song so well, and he definitely kept his thumb down this time. Craig hit his 100th 10 which is an incredibl(y low) number and is why he’s the best judge.

Tasha and Aljaž were next up with their Couple’s Choice and it was as professional as it was first time round. I do wonder about having Couple’s Choice dances in the final, when they’re just a low-key version of the Showdance. Takes some of the joy of the freedom of the Showdance away in my eyes. But Chris and Dianne also did their Couple’s Choice which had Motsi in pieces already (300 hours on her face, wasted, hilarious).

Then Sarah and Vito with their wonderful American Smooth to Proud. Vito’s wardrobe malfunction didn’t seem like much at the time but when you watch it back, he has to do half the dance trying not to let his trousers fall down which is quite impressive.

Showdances

Hmm, I think JB’s showdance was just not to my taste - it was well done and he did look to be having the time of his life. But it was so 70s and orange and felt quite similar to his Couple’s Choice, so not really bringing anything new to the table. Do enjoy that I can just watch Lauren in the final though, as we know JB’s not going to win.

Tasha’s dance, however, was proper old-school showdance and really enjoyable. It showed great personality and style. She looked a bit down about it towards the end, potentially made a mistake but we didn’t notice and the judge’s certainly didn’t spot anything wrong with it.

Chris and Dianne’s was the other kind of showdance, a collection of all previous works and a celebration of it all. It probably wasn’t the tidiest of dances but they were both loving it, yelling the lyrics to the song. A joy.

And then the musicals style option was Sarah’s choice, all lifts and tricks and joy. The beginning of the track was a bit annoying, not sure what piece of the song that is? But when the traditional Cabaret chorus kicked into gear it was fab, and the lift at the end was boggling!

Couple’s Pick

Final dance for all the couple’s and they get to choose their favourite. JB went for the samba, which as Anton said, is an odd decision but if he loves it, why not? Full marks too, how many sambas get a 40, really?

Tasha went for her American Smooth which was great and had everyone very moved by it, particularly Tasha herself. Tess was at her patronising best so it must have been good. Talking of emotional though, Chris and Dianne properly broke everyone, I mean Dianne was in pieces before the song was even over. There were poems and hugs and it was all just beautiful.

Poor Sarah having to follow that, but a great song to finish on, Madonna and the Cha Cha. It was good and much improved, although think there were a couple of mistakes in there. I so wanted Sarah to win but her finally managing to get the full 40 at the final time of asking will have to do!

Chris and Dianne lifted that glitterball trophy, as predicted by pretty much everyone. And sure, he wasn’t the best dancer out there in terms of technique but in terms of what dance is - joy and togetherness and equality and emotion - he had that in spades. The best part of his j-word was that he started out a bit embarrassed, a bit glib, but you could see him fall in love with the show as he went on, and it clearly meant so much by the end, winning or not.

His quote was perfection too.

“This is for everyone out there that got told they couldn’t do something or thought they couldn’t. It just shows with opportunity, and support, and determination, anything can happen.”

Because it’s all very well to say, anyone can do anything they set their mind to. Well maybe, but opportunity is key and support is vital. So many of the contestants say the support, the belief of their professional dance partner, is what makes them believe they can and prove to themselves they can. Opportunity, Support, Determination. The story of Strictly right there.