You CAN teach an old dog new tricks! Rufus Hound wins Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special tangoing with two huskies
By FAY STRANG
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Comedian Rufus Hound triumphed in the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special on Wednesday eveniong- his second win in a BBC dance contest.
The funnyman and stage star beat the likes of DJ Sara Cox and Saturdays singer Rochelle Hulmes to lift this year's trophy for his tango with partner Flavia Cacace, as they performed beside two real huskies.
Hound, who previously won the BBC1 series Let's Dance For Sport Relief in 2010, managed to injure himself in the process and ended the performance with a cut on his eyebrow after being hit by a fish prop.
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What a win: Rufus Hound won the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special on Wednesday evening
Hound dogs: Rufus was joined by two live huskies during his dance
Cacace was the partner of Louis Smith when he was the victor in last year's Strictly series but she did not take part in the 2013 run of the show which ended on Saturday.
Elaine Paige topped the voting with the judging panel in the one-off festive Strictly show for her cha cha cha with Pasha Kovalev to Jingle Bells.
But when it went to the audience vote, Hound stepped out in front for his performance to Never Do A Tango With An Eskimo.
Fun: Rufus and Flavia had everyone cheering with their energetic display
Wipe: Rufus had to wipe his face after cutting it during the performance
He and Cacace drew 38 from the judges while Paige and Kovalev took a near-perfect 39.
Surprised winner Hound said: 'It's surreal in the extreme. We didn't really set out to win, the fact that it's happened I don't know what it means. I think if I had more of a taste for the ballroom, they'd be serving it in a burger!'
And he told his dance partner: 'You came into this as the regning champion so you were putting a lot on the line to dance with me, and have been spectacular all the way through.'
Second win: Rufus of course won Let's Dance For Comic Relief back in 2010
Meet and greet: Before the performance Rufus and Flavia went to meet some huskies
Practise: But before the actual dance they had just toy dogs to use
EastEnders star Ricky Norword kicked off the show in style alongside his partner Janette Manrara
The pair came in on a snowboard floating down from the sky, dancing to Merry Christmas Everyone.
Bruce, was in a jovial mood and gave each of the judges ‘presents’ including Chardonay for Craig Revel-Horwood, as he’s known for his love of wine, amongst other things.
Bruno told the actor : ‘It was a wonderful glitzy hamper. I really, really enjoyed it.’
Snowed in: EastEnder's actor Ricky Norwood kicked off the show, paired with professional Janette Manrara
What a entrance: Ricky kicked off his performance by arriving on a snowboard
Hey DJ: Sara Cox was pair with Robin Windsor and put on a very elegant show
Craig added: ‘There were a few posture problems but I rather enjoyed you snowboarding in. Actually, you’re a very good dancer.’
They received nine from Bruno, while Len, Darcy and Craig gave them an eight.
Next up came Elaine Page and Pasha Kovalev who danced a very festive Cha Cha to Jingle Bells, which featured Christmas presents as props.
Impressed: Sara amazed the judges with Darcy telling her she was 'gliding'
Ending the dance on a lift, singer Elaine looked delighted about taking part.
Craig told her: ‘As a seasoned veteran of the theatre you’d expect nothing less than brilliant and that was brilliant.’
Darcy gushed: ‘The Cha Cha was made for you. It was a sparkly performance’
Cheekily Len said: ‘I’m telling you, you jingled my bells’.
Craig gave them full marks, 10, as did Darcy and Bruno, while Len gave a nine.
They were following by DJ Sara Cox, who was paired with Robin Windsor- they danced the Waltz to Silent Night, Holy Night.
Wind up: Rochelle Humes pretended to be a wind up doll in her performance with Ian White
Their show began with a very elegant looking Sarah sitting on a light up swing. Dressed in a sparkly fitted bodice and floaty skirt she looked a far cry from her normal self.
Craig kicked off the comments and said it was a little like a Christmas cracker that didn't explode.
Darcy told her: 'It was like you were on ice, you glided effortlessly. It was beautiful controlled.'
Juggling: Rochelle said it was rather tricky practicing with her baby
Len added: 'Your footwork was good. I truly thought it was lovely well done.'
Bruno said: 'The rock n'roll girl turned into a Christmas angel.'
Craig gave a seven, Darcy an eight, Len a nine and Bruno also gave a nine.
The Saturdays singer Rochelle Humes was up next with professional Ian Waite.
Speaking about her first Christmas with daughter Alaia- Mai, she said: 'Although she doesn't know it I've gone to town. At home Marvin is trying to carry me around, he's really not that great at it. He's a great husband but not a good dance partner.'
Fred Astaire: Matt Goss was told he was like the famous dancer during his performance with Aliona Vilani
She continued: 'It's been a roller coaster doing Strictly and having a new baby. She's teething so i've been bringing her into training with me. She's been looking at me like 'mum, what are you doing?'
Rochelle kicked off her performance as a wind up doll before breaking into an energetic routine to
Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.
Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.
Darcy told her: 'That was certainly a cracker of a dance. Sometimes slightly wild with the footwork.'
Christmas stars: Tess Daly and Bruce Forsyth made sure their double act was even more festive than usual
Len said: 'Never mind Santa coming to town, you're coming to town. It was like a party poper, bits were flying everywhere.'
Next Bruno added: 'It was full of spirit like a Christmas tipple, but we all know you've got to be careful with at tipple.'
And as per usual Craig was a little harsh: 'A bit all over the toyshop darling. You went for it and that's the good thing.'
Christmas colour: Darcy Bussell wore a red dress as she judged the dancers
Following the performance Rochelle told Tess: 'It was awful. I feel like my security blanket is gone. I could see them looking at me.'
Tess then said they very brave to try the dance. Rochelle joked back ' It was brave of him as I've not long had a baby.'
Craig gave a seven, Darcy an eight, as did Len and Bruno.
Up next came Matt Goss and Aliona Vilani Walking In A Winter Wonderland.
All together: Tess chatted to all the contestants following their dances
Len told him he thought they had danced it nicely while Bruno said it was like Christmas at the Ritz.
Darcy said: 'I love the dyanmic. You reminded me of Fred Astaire. It was beautiful.'
Craig was quite harsh and pointed out all the faults in the dance but he admitted he thought it was classy.
They were followed by Rufus Hound and Flavia Cacace who performed to Never Do a Tango with an Eskimo.
Glam: Sara looked very glamorous with plenty of eye-makeup and smooth hair
Swing when she's winning: Sara started her performance on a swing
Following the performance Bruno said: 'That was a nut cracker of tango. It was wonderful ending for a fantastic evening.
Craig said: 'That was one of the most unusual tangos I've ever had the pleasure of watching.
Darcy added: 'I thought you were an unusually hot Eskimo. It had drama and i liked it very much.
Len agreed: 'What it lacked in technique, you made up for in entertainment.'
Guests on the show included young choirboy Jack Topping who performed his single Tomorrow.
The show ended with all the of the star's taking part in one final and very festive dance together.
Voice of an angel: Choir boy Jack Toppings performed on the show
The moment of truth: The stars looked nervous before finding out their fate
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2529240/Rufus-Hound-wins-Strictly-Come-Dancing-Christmas-Special-tangoing-two-huskies.html#ixzz2oce9h2c8
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