We have our Strictly Come Dancing 2023 winners!
This year’s Glitterball final was nothing short of fantastic, with Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin, Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola, and Bobby Brazier and Dianne Buswell all dancing their hearts out to win the award.
Only one pair could win, and it was Ellie and Vito!
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, our hostesses, crowned the two as our victors, much to their surprise and in an extremely emotional occasion.
Of course, Ellie and her Italian pro partner, 31, broke into tears of joy, as the runners-up clapped and hurried over for a group embrace.
Ellie, the youngest-ever Strictly winner, was stunned when asked what it meant for them to win.
‘I actually, genuinely, cannot believe this,’ she said.
Meanwhile, Vito, who is never at a loss for words, buried his face in his hands.
‘This is the first time I’ve seen him cry and, for once, you’re crying more than me!’, Ellie teased.
Pointing to their glittering trophy, Ellie told him proudly: ‘This, this is for you!’
‘This is for you, you have been amazing,’ Vito added.
Ellie’s professional partner, who has never won the competition but made the final with Fleur East last year, had lots of kind things to say about her.
‘I mean, this is the cherry on the cake, it’s like the point up on the iceberg, you know?’, he said.
‘All the bruises and the blisters, you have been so amazing, you are Strictly. You represent Strictly, you are the diamond I was talking about, shining,’ Vito told Ellie.
The loving couple then proudly raised their Glitterball as the rest of the finalists, both past and present, swarmed around to congratulate them.
The remaining partners standing in this year’s final performed three routines apiece.
These included their favourite series performance, a judge’s choice, and an epic show dance.
Former Coronation Street singer Ellie, 22, sang first, starting off the grand final to a raucous reception and collecting 39 points – with the judges’ ratings just serving as guideline in the final.
Bobby, 20, then returned from Movie Week with his vibrant Romeo and Juliet samba, which had everyone on their feet because to his hip motion and captivating smile.
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Following them and prior to the voting lines opening, Layton, 29, returned back his week 2 quickstep and surprised everyone with its progress, eventually getting a flawless 40 after scoring 36 originally.
The three finalists then performed a performance dance, with Ellie dancing to a JLo medley, Bobby singing La La Land, and Layton singing Friend Like Me to celebrate his friendship with Nikita.
Ellie performed her American Smooth, Bobby performed his couple’s pick, and Layton performed the Argentine tango as their last and favourite performances.
Our winner Ellie had a heartbreaking night from start to end, even causing Craig Revel Horwood to burst into tears at one point!
The actress was stunned after her final dance, an American smooth.
Crying himself, Anton Du Beke told her: ‘Why am I getting emotional? I can’t help myself.’
He added: ‘The joy of sitting here, I get to watch you and follow you and try and encourage you and everybody else here – and nothing makes me more proud than to see you pull this off in a mature, wonderful way.’
Shirley Ballas, the top judge, also praised her highly.
‘You, my dear, are the only lady standing, and let me tell you, you came down those stairs, you worked that dress, the whole ensemble… was spot on,’ she said after Ellie’s paso.
‘I have to say, that was a woman in control.’
Ellie was also described as someone who entered the competition as a ‘girl’ but leaves a ‘woman.’
Amy Dowden performed an opening dance routine with the other pros in tonight’s final.
Following her diagnosis and subsequent treatment for stage three breast cancer, the 33-year-old dancer was unable to find a celebrity partner this year.
The finalists were welcomed onto the dance floor during the dance number before hosts Tess and Claudia announced the presence of the judges.
Before the results were revealed, former Family Fortunes host Les Dennis was raised onto the Strictly dance floor by a big glittering anchor for the series’ final group performance.
While the rest of the Strictly pros and celebrities performed in the background, presenter Angela Rippon demonstrated one of her renowned high leg kicks.
Throughout the show, lines were open, and the winner of Strictly came down to a public vote.
Source My Celebrity Life.