Saturday 20 December 2014

Caroline Flack is named the winner of Strictly as she becomes highest scoring finalist in show's history

Dancing queen! Caroline Flack is named the winner of Strictly as she becomes highest scoring finalist in show's history

After 15 weeks of hard graft, emotion and sweat, Strictly Come Dancing has found its new champ.
On Saturday night, Caroline Flack staved off stiff competition from fellow finalists Simon Webbe and Frankie Bridge to be handed the coveted Glitterball on the BBC1 show.
During a final which saw her break records as the first ever contestant to get perfect scores of 40 on all three of her routines, she fell to the ground in disbelief as she was named the winner.
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Dancing queen: Caroline Flack, seen with her dancer partner Pasha Kovalev, was named the winner of Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday night
Dancing queen: Caroline Flack, seen with her dancer partner Pasha Kovalev, was named the winner of Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday night
Golden girl: The star celebrated with Pasha as they were handed the coveted Glitterball
Golden girl: The star celebrated with Pasha as they were handed the coveted Glitterball
We did it! Caroline became the highest scoring finalist in the show's decade-long history
We did it! Caroline became the highest scoring finalist in the show's decade-long history
As she received her shining trophy, she said: 'This is the best feeling in the whole world. This has been the best experience in my whole life.'
She added of her dance partner Pasha Kovalev and fellow contestants: 'This has been a complete bonding experience for everybody and it's been so lovely.' 
Early in the night, the TV host proved that she was the one to beat as she dominated the scoreboard with perfect marks from the judges after putting her all into two stunning routines. 
The moment of truth: Caroline and Pasha were flanked by fellow finalists Frankie Bridge and Kevin Clifton, left, and Simon Webbe and Kristina Rihanoff, right, as they waited for the final result
The moment of truth: Caroline and Pasha were flanked by fellow finalists Frankie Bridge and Kevin Clifton, left, and Simon Webbe and Kristina Rihanoff, right, as they waited for the final result
The chosen one: She fell to the ground in disbelief on learning that she was the winner
The chosen one: She fell to the ground in disbelief on learning that she was the winner
Stunning: For her second dance, Caroline wowed in a white gown, which featured a series of long trains
Stunning: For her second dance, Caroline wowed in a white gown, which featured a series of long trains
Toe-ing the line: She went barefoot for the performance, which was praised universally by judges
Toe-ing the line: She went barefoot for the performance, which was praised universally by judges
All white on the night: Caroline admitted that her top score for her second routine meant the most to her
All white on the night: Caroline admitted that her top score for her second routine meant the most to her
Heaven sent: During the final, Caroline revealed how competing on the show had boosted her confidence
Heaven sent: During the final, Caroline revealed how competing on the show had boosted her confidence
The TV personality and her professional partner Pasha Kovalev landed a maximum score of 40 for their initial routine, the Cha Cha Cha, and repeated the seemingly impossible when she topped the competition again with her Showdance. 
Even sharp-tongued judge Craig Revel Horwood, known for his harsh critiques, was left speechless after her first routine to The Jackson's classic song Can You Feel It.
Wearing a tasselled golden minidress, she showed off 'fantastic bum and leg action' according to judge Darcy Bussell as she gyrated around the dancefloor.
Tens across the board: The TV personality dominated the scoreboard when she landed a perfect 40 for each of her three routines
Tens across the board: The TV personality dominated the scoreboard when she landed a perfect 40 for each of her three routines
Hot steppers: The star and her partner Pasha Kovalev lit up the ballroom as they performed the Cha Cha Cha
Hot steppers: The star and her partner Pasha Kovalev lit up the ballroom as they performed the Cha Cha Cha
A winner: The TV personality wowed the audience and the judges alike as she powered through her routines
A winner: The TV personality wowed the audience and the judges alike as she powered through her routines
Gratitude: Caroline thanked her partner Pasha for bringing out the best in her dancing skills
Gratitude: Caroline thanked her partner Pasha for bringing out the best in her dancing skills
Ready to rock: Caroline was a consistently high scorer throughout her run on the BBC1 show
Ready to rock: Caroline was a consistently high scorer throughout her run on the BBC1 show
Head judge Len Goodman cooed: 'That was like your dress - 24 carats. Well done!'
As she saw her first score of perfect 10s roll in, a stunned Caroline fell to her knees, wiping away a tear as she hugged her dance partner Pasha. 
Before hitting the dancefloor for her showdance, Caroline fought back tears as she described the way the show has boosted her confidence and given her a new outlook.
Rise of the underdog: Despite having to battle his way out of three dance-offs during the series, Simon Webbe - seen with his partner Kristina Rihanoff - made it to the final three
Rise of the underdog: Despite having to battle his way out of three dance-offs during the series, Simon Webbe - seen with his partner Kristina Rihanoff - made it to the final three
Head-turning performances: The Blue hunk placed second on the judges' scoreboard during the final
Head-turning performances: The Blue hunk placed second on the judges' scoreboard during the final
New lease of life: During the final, Simon admitted that his time on the show has boosted his confidence
New lease of life: During the final, Simon admitted that his time on the show has boosted his confidence
Marching orders: Despite his best efforts, Mark Wright, seen with his partner Karen Hauer, was the first of the four finalists to be eliminated on the night
Marching orders: Despite his best efforts, Mark Wright, seen with his partner Karen Hauer, was the first of the four finalists to be eliminated on the night
Making his mark: The TV star was praised for high-energy routine, which saw him use much of the ballroom
Making his mark: The TV star was praised for high-energy routine, which saw him use much of the ballroom
Right to bare arms: While Mark stuck to his promise of not going shirtless on the night, he did strip down with a glittering back vest, which allowed him to show off his muscular arms
Right to bare arms: While Mark stuck to his promise of not going shirtless on the night, he did strip down with a glittering back vest, which allowed him to show off his muscular arms
Cheerleader: Mark's fiancée Michelle Keegan, left, was seen sitting next to co-host Tess Daly in the audience
Cheerleader: Mark's fiancée Michelle Keegan, left, was seen sitting next to co-host Tess Daly in the audience
She said: 'I just feel emotional because it's coming to an end. And it's been really good.'
The star then proceeded to wow the audience and judges as she went barefoot while wearing a stunning white dress with a series of long trains for her next routine. 
The rumba-inspired routine, danced to Robbie Williams' hit track Angels, drew universal praise again from the judges, with Bruno Tonioli saying: 'I'm in dance heaven. You have such an emotional connection and sincerity that you convey in every move.'
Flapper style: Frankie Bridge donned a series of glamorous costumes as he fought for the Glitterball
Flapper style: Frankie Bridge donned a series of glamorous costumes as he fought for the Glitterball
Good sport: As Caroline was handed the Glitterball, Frankie said she was happy to have made it to the final
Good sport: As Caroline was handed the Glitterball, Frankie said she was happy to have made it to the final
Good gyrations: The judges praised her effortless hip action as she performed her routines
Good gyrations: The judges praised her effortless hip action as she performed her routines
Reunited and it feels so good: The show's former contestants cheered on the finalists as they made a return
Reunited and it feels so good: The show's former contestants cheered on the finalists as they made a return
Stepping back: DJ Scott Mills, who was the first to be eliminated, shared a hug with judge Bruno Tonioli
Stepping back: DJ Scott Mills, who was the first to be eliminated, shared a hug with judge Bruno Tonioli
Jakey's got back: Erstwhile competition favourite Jake Wood returned and showed off his best twerk
Jakey's got back: Erstwhile competition favourite Jake Wood returned and showed off his best twerk
Hamm-ing it up: TV presenter Alison Hammond also entertained viewers as she returned to the ballroom
Hamm-ing it up: TV presenter Alison Hammond also entertained viewers as she returned to the ballroom
Having landed in the dance-off three times, Simon Webbe was particularly elated to have made to the final, admitting he 'never imagined' he'd make it so far.
Starting off his night of performances with the Charleston, he and partner Kristina Rihanoff dressed up as a pearly king and queen as they displayed quick, sharp moves to My Old Man (Said Follow the Van), made popular by Marie Lloyd.
He landed 39 out of 40 for his efforts, before going on to give his all in his Showdance - during which he and Kristina performed a jaw-dropping seven lifts.
After he received yet another standing ovation from the audience, judge Darcy Bussell said: 'That was a Showdance we will never forget. That was brilliant... It was just fabulous.'
While he received yet another score of 39, his best was yet to come in his very final dance, the Argentine Tango, for which he was handed a perfect 40.
Simon dropped to the ground when he saw that tough judge Craig had awarded him a 10 for his routine, which was dubbed 'Simon's greatest hits'. 
Frankie Bridge was the first of the finalists to dance on the night, performing the samba, as selected by the judges.
Taking to the dancefloor with her partner Kevin Clifton, the singer donned a white ruffled backless dress as she gyrated her hips effortlessly and glided through her routine.
With La Bamba, popularised by late singer Ritchie Valens, playing he background, Frankie proved exactly why she was in the final as she was prasied by the judges.
An animated Bruno Tonioli: 'You were saucy tonight! You were giving me all the hips in the right places... You were right on it, honey!'
For her efforts, she landed a near-perfect score of 39 out of 40.
Special guests: Take That stars (l-r) Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen were featured performers
Special guests: Take That stars (l-r) Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen were featured performers
Vocally gifted: Gary and his bandmates sang their way through a medley of their greatest hits
Vocally gifted: Gary and his bandmates sang their way through a medley of their greatest hits
Burst of colour: Show co-hosts Claudia Winkleman, left, and Tess Daly, right, stepped out in style
Burst of colour: Show co-hosts Claudia Winkleman, left, and Tess Daly, right, stepped out in style
For her Showdance, Frankie opted to perform an 'American Smooth, Foxtrot, Quickstep all in one', which saw her don a glittering champagne pink gown and dance across a series of benches.
However, her acrobatic moves appeared to leave Craig Revel Horwooda little unimpressed, as he told her: 'I wasn't completely taken with the bench stuff. it did look a little but like you were training a horse... That being said, I loved all the quick step stuff. It was absolutely brilliant.'
However, she was still able to land an impressive score of 38 out of 40.
For her final dance, she slipped into a flattering multicoloured gown as she performed the Paso Doble from the West Side Story hit Amerca.
Before she was handed another score of 39, Bruno purred: 'You set the floor on fire... It was a Puerto Rican firecracker!' 
What's her next move? The star recently revealed that competing on Strictly has made her feel like there's less of a limit to the things she can achieve
What's her next move? The star recently revealed that competing on Strictly has made her feel like there's less of a limit to the things she can achieve


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2882002/Caroline-Flack-dominates-Strictly-final-scoreboard-s-awarded-perfect-10s-two-routines.html#ixzz3MUGIYoMB
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