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| Strictly Come Dancing: Louis Smith lifts the trophy | Strictly Come Dancing: Louis Smith lifts the trophy |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Olympic Gymnast Louis Smith has been crowned champion of this year's Strictly Come Dancing. | Olympic Gymnast Louis Smith has been crowned champion of this year's Strictly Come Dancing. |
| The 23-year-old, who won a silver medal at this summer's Olympic Games, lifted the glitterball trophy after performing a quick-footed Charleston. | The 23-year-old, who won a silver medal at this summer's Olympic Games, lifted the glitterball trophy after performing a quick-footed Charleston. |
| "I can finally say I won something in the year 2012," he said. | "I can finally say I won something in the year 2012," he said. |
| Smith beat actress Dani Harmer, TV presenter Denise Van Outen and Girls Aloud star Kimberley Walsh in the hotly-contested competition. | Smith beat actress Dani Harmer, TV presenter Denise Van Outen and Girls Aloud star Kimberley Walsh in the hotly-contested competition. |
| Smith was this year's youngest competitor, and was partnered with professional dancer Flavia Cacace. | Smith was this year's youngest competitor, and was partnered with professional dancer Flavia Cacace. |
| He suffered several injuries during the 14-week contest, and said he would require a knee operation now the dancing has finished. | He suffered several injuries during the 14-week contest, and said he would require a knee operation now the dancing has finished. |
| His back also caused problems throughout his career, which stopped him from performing too many dramatic lifts before the final. | His back also caused problems throughout his career, which stopped him from performing too many dramatic lifts before the final. |
| The majority of those came during his showdance, which he performed topless to Take That's Rule The World. | The majority of those came during his showdance, which he performed topless to Take That's Rule The World. |
| Judge Bruno Tonionli said the routine "blew me away". | Judge Bruno Tonionli said the routine "blew me away". |
| "That had grace. It had fluidity. It was sensual, as well," he added. | "That had grace. It had fluidity. It was sensual, as well," he added. |
| Head judge Len Goodman agreed, saying: "If this show goes on to another 20 years, I don't think we'll see another show dance like that." | Head judge Len Goodman agreed, saying: "If this show goes on to another 20 years, I don't think we'll see another show dance like that." |
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| Smith had struggled in the opening weeks of the show, his lack of showmanship resulting in lower-than-expected scores. | Smith had struggled in the opening weeks of the show, his lack of showmanship resulting in lower-than-expected scores. |
| Goodman said there was "no fire" in his performance - but things started to pick up after he enlisted the help of a drama coach to prepare for a Charleston in week nine. | Goodman said there was "no fire" in his performance - but things started to pick up after he enlisted the help of a drama coach to prepare for a Charleston in week nine. |
| That performance was repeated for the final, with a daring double somersault over his dancing partner. | That performance was repeated for the final, with a daring double somersault over his dancing partner. |
| It's all about the mops. | It's all about the mops. |
| Between the fleckles, the spins, the jives and the jazz hands, Strictly is powered by an army of mops. Out they come, after every big number, sweeping up the glitter in case the next contestant takes a fall. | Between the fleckles, the spins, the jives and the jazz hands, Strictly is powered by an army of mops. Out they come, after every big number, sweeping up the glitter in case the next contestant takes a fall. |
| The show is such a well-oiled machine by now that watching in the studio is similar to seeing it at home. It is only the small details, like the mops, that catch your eye. | The show is such a well-oiled machine by now that watching in the studio is similar to seeing it at home. It is only the small details, like the mops, that catch your eye. |
| Kimberley's earring getting caught in her hair during the tango, Nicky Byrne being stitched into his trousers, Louis Smith with a heat pack stuffed down his britches. | Kimberley's earring getting caught in her hair during the tango, Nicky Byrne being stitched into his trousers, Louis Smith with a heat pack stuffed down his britches. |
| But the routines are as dazzling in real life as on screen. When James Jordan dropped Denise Van Outen to the floor and spun her around, there was a collective intake of breath. | |
| And you thought to yourself: Maybe they don't need those mops after all. | And you thought to yourself: Maybe they don't need those mops after all. |
| Cacace, who first appeared in the show in 2004, yelped in fear as Smith tumbled above her head - but the effort proved worth it, giving her the first Strictly win of her career. | Cacace, who first appeared in the show in 2004, yelped in fear as Smith tumbled above her head - but the effort proved worth it, giving her the first Strictly win of her career. |
| Smith said he would celebrate his win by breaking his diet and taking a well-earned rest. | Smith said he would celebrate his win by breaking his diet and taking a well-earned rest. |
| "I can't wait to have a drink of mulled wine, eat sausage rolls. I might order a Chinese on Christmas Eve," he said. | "I can't wait to have a drink of mulled wine, eat sausage rolls. I might order a Chinese on Christmas Eve," he said. |
| "I've pretty much been non-stop since April. To go from the Olympics straight into this, it's just been crazy." | "I've pretty much been non-stop since April. To go from the Olympics straight into this, it's just been crazy." |
| 'Nimble Kimble' | 'Nimble Kimble' |
| Earlier in the night, children's TV star Dani Harmer became the first celebrity to be eliminated, after nerves appeared to affect her showdance, performed to Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody. | Earlier in the night, children's TV star Dani Harmer became the first celebrity to be eliminated, after nerves appeared to affect her showdance, performed to Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody. |
| The remaining contestants then performed their favourite dance from the series, before Smith was revealed as the winner. | The remaining contestants then performed their favourite dance from the series, before Smith was revealed as the winner. |
| Making the final cut was a shock Denise Van Outen, who had been voted into the dance-off during the quarter and semi-finals. | Making the final cut was a shock Denise Van Outen, who had been voted into the dance-off during the quarter and semi-finals. |
| The former Big Breakfast presenter was undoubtedly saved by a bravely acrobatic showdance, peppered with daring lifts and spins. | The former Big Breakfast presenter was undoubtedly saved by a bravely acrobatic showdance, peppered with daring lifts and spins. |
| Tonioli called the routine "epic", while fellow judge Craig Revel Horwood said: "I can't believe the things your body did." | Tonioli called the routine "epic", while fellow judge Craig Revel Horwood said: "I can't believe the things your body did." |
| "I can't believe it," Van Outen replied. "I'm nearly 40". | "I can't believe it," Van Outen replied. "I'm nearly 40". |
| The judges also had high praise for pop star Kimberley Walsh, whom they dubbed "Nimble Kimble". | The judges also had high praise for pop star Kimberley Walsh, whom they dubbed "Nimble Kimble". |
| She set temperatures soaring with a pyrotechnic performance of Beyonce's Crazy In Love, involving a mid-routine costume change. | She set temperatures soaring with a pyrotechnic performance of Beyonce's Crazy In Love, involving a mid-routine costume change. |
| "Indecent, improper, absolute filth," said Horwood. "I loved it." | "Indecent, improper, absolute filth," said Horwood. "I loved it." |
| After the show, Smith told the BBC he had been convinced the Girls Aloud singer "was going to walk away with" the title. | After the show, Smith told the BBC he had been convinced the Girls Aloud singer "was going to walk away with" the title. |
| "I thought she was outstanding. When they announced us, I couldn't believe it." | "I thought she was outstanding. When they announced us, I couldn't believe it." |
| Walsh returned the compliment, saying "we all did our best and we all loved every minute of it". | Walsh returned the compliment, saying "we all did our best and we all loved every minute of it". |
| Far from being disappointed, the 31-year-old said she felt a "bizarre sense of calm to know the result". | Far from being disappointed, the 31-year-old said she felt a "bizarre sense of calm to know the result". |
| Ratings success | Ratings success |
| Although the main series has now ended, Strictly will return for a pre-recorded Christmas special on 25 December. | Although the main series has now ended, Strictly will return for a pre-recorded Christmas special on 25 December. |
| Among the newcomers will be actress Sheila Hancock, former footballer Fabrice Muamba, and Jonathan 'JB' Gill from pop group JLS. | Among the newcomers will be actress Sheila Hancock, former footballer Fabrice Muamba, and Jonathan 'JB' Gill from pop group JLS. |
| Meanwhile, judge Darcey Bussell has confirmed she will return for the 2013 series, after making her debut this year. | Meanwhile, judge Darcey Bussell has confirmed she will return for the 2013 series, after making her debut this year. |
| "I've thoroughly enjoyed my first series," she said, "and I'm absolutely delighted to be returning." | "I've thoroughly enjoyed my first series," she said, "and I'm absolutely delighted to be returning." |
| This year's competition - which also saw Jerry Hall, Lisa Riley and Fern Britton take part - regularly beat ITV rival The X Factor in the ratings. | This year's competition - which also saw Jerry Hall, Lisa Riley and Fern Britton take part - regularly beat ITV rival The X Factor in the ratings. |
| Compared to last year, however, its viewing figures dropped slightly - from an average of 10.9m to 10.7m. | Compared to last year, however, its viewing figures dropped slightly - from an average of 10.9m to 10.7m. |