Stacey Dooley has been crowned the winner of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’.
The 31-year-old television presenter and her professional partner Kevin Clifton were awarded the prestigious glitterball trophy during Saturday’s (15.12.18) live final of the BBC Latin and ballroom dance competition, as they beat out the remaining three couples in the public vote.
Stacey and Kevin faced fierce competition from Pussycat Dolls star Ashley Roberts and her partner Pasha Kovalev, Steps singer Faye Tozer and her partner Giovanni Pernice, and YouTube star Joe Sugg and his partner Diane Buswell, but the ‘Stacey Dooley in the USA’ star ultimately walked away as the champion.
Praising Kevin for his work in teaching her to dance, Stacey said: "Kev, listen. You know how highly I think of you. I think you’re the biggest gem. It’s absolutely no kind of coincidence that he’s been in the final as many times as he has. You’re patient, talented, your choreography is second to none. I’ve had the most incredible time.
"And you know what, it’s daunting doing something you haven’t done before. You feel silly, you feel like a bit of an idiot. But Kevin walks you through. And you so deserve this."
Kevin, 36, has made it to the final of the show five times out of the six series he’s been a part of, but his win with Stacey marks the first time he has ever held the glitterball trophy.
Speaking about the achievement, he told Stacey: "Thank you so much. Not just for being so amazing and dancing so well and getting this, but just for being the most wonderful person to work with, to spend every day in training with. You’ve worked so hard, and always with a massive smile on your face. You’re just so lovely, and I think the absolute world of you, thank you so much."
Despite being crowned the winners, Stacey and Kevin didn’t receive the highest scores from the judging panel – Craig Revel Horwood, Dame Darcey Bussell, Shirley Ballas, and Bruno Tonioli – as their three dances received scores of 39, 36, and 39, whilst both Ashley and Faye received perfect 40s for all three of their routines.
Stacey Dooley wins Strictly Come Dancing
