Strictly Come Dancing crowns Ellie Leach as this year's champion
Photo: Strictly Come Dancing declares Ellie Leach as this year's champion (GettyImages)
The former Coronation Street actress Ellie Leach won this year's Strictly Come Dancing on BBC One, beating competitors Bobby Brazier and Layton Williams in the final. This victory marks a significant achievement in the show's history, featuring the youngest trio of finalists ever, according to BBC.
In the final, Ellie Leach, partnered with Vito Coppola, performed three dances, earning high scores from the judges, including a perfect 40 for their favorite routine. Despite a minor mishap in their show dance, the pair won the public vote.
Bobby Brazier and Layton Williams, also finalists, delivered strong performances, with Layton and his partner Nikita Kuzmin leading the leaderboard.
The final featured various dances by the contestants, a performance by Cher, and the announcement of Olly Alexander as the UK's 2024 Eurovision representative. The Strictly professionals, including Amy Dowden, opened the show, and all contestants of the 2023 lineup returned for a final routine.
Exciting choice
Olly Alexander announced he will represent the UK at the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö, Sweden, during the "Strictly Come Dancing" final. Following the reveal, the BBC confirmed his participation, emphasizing Olly's status as a pioneering music superstar.
Alexander said it was "very difficult to keep quiet" on socials, but he has "wanted to do this for a long time."
This announcement comes after the UK's recent resurgence in Eurovision success, with Sam Ryder finishing second in 2022.
Uncertain future
Anton Du Beke, the newest judge on "Strictly Come Dancing," may face a possible exit from the show in 2024, according to Ladbrokes' odds.
Anton, who replaced Bruno Tonioli in 2021, has received mixed reactions from viewers. While some praise him as a brilliant addition, others criticize his judging style as over-the-top and lacking in constructive feedback.
Anton Du Beke (Photo: Daily Express)
Amidst these divided opinions, there's speculation about his future on the judging panel. The situation is further complicated by rumors that another long-standing judge, Craig Revel Horwood, might leave the show.
Diverse lineup
Strictly Come Dancing, now in its 21st series, started in September with 15 celebrities. The show has seen some withdrawals, including Amanda Abbington for personal reasons and Nigel Harman due to injury.
The series, judged by Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, Craig Revel Horwood, and Motsi Mabuse, follows a format where celebrities paired with professional dancers compete in various dance styles, culminating in the grand finale where the winner is decided by a combination of judges' scores and public vote.
Last year's competition was won by presenter Hamza Yassin and his dance partner, Jowita Przystal.
