Ellie Leach, a former actress on Coronation Street, was crowned the winner of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing on BBC One. The 22-year-old beat out EastEnders’ Bobby Brazier and Bad Education star Layton Williams to take home the glitterball trophy in the live final, which featured the youngest trio of finalists in the show’s history.
Ellie, who was the favourite of bookmakers prior to the final, performed three dances with partner Vito Coppola, which included a routine set to “Ain’t That A Kick In The Head” by Robbie Williams and a Jennifer Lopez megamix show dance. The judges gave advisory scores, but the final decision was made by the public.
Despite facing stiff competition from the other remaining couples, Ellie and Vito emerged as the winners of the competition after twelve weeks of tangos, salsas and foxtrots. Praising their dance, head judge Shirley Ballas noted that “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.”
In addition to Ellie’s win, the final saw performances by mega-star Cher and all the previous competitors from this year’s series. The show also featured various judges, including Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, Craig Revel Horwood, and Motsi Mabuse.
The winning duo of Ellie and Vito were overjoyed with their win, with Ellie saying she “genuinely cannot believe this” and Vito telling her “you are Strictly… I’m so proud.” In addition to Ellie’s dance partner, the judges called her “the only lady standing” and praised her dress and ensemble as being “spot on.
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