Thursday 25 December 2014

Louis Smith wins Strictly Come Dancing for a second time... as Sir Bruce Forsyth makes his return on Christmas special

Louis Smith wins Strictly Come Dancing for a second time... as Sir Bruce Forsyth makes his return on Christmas special

Olympic gymnast Louis Smith has added another trophy to his collection after winning the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special, in which Sir Bruce Forsyth returned to the ballroom.
The 25-year-old competed against fellow contestants from previous series - Rachel Stevens, Lisa Riley, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Chris Hollins and Russell Grant - in the TV special.
Smith, who partnered professional Aliona Vilani, was crowned King of the Christmas Ballroom after earning a perfect score of 40 points from the judges for a quickstep, to the song Jingle Bells.
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Big win: Strictly Come Dancing's Louis Smith takes his second win as previous competitors return for the Christmas Day special
Big win: Strictly Come Dancing's Louis Smith takes his second win as previous competitors return for the Christmas Day special
The gymnast, who was Strictly champion in 2012, lifted the Christmas Silver Star trophy after the score from the judges was combined with the vote from the studio audience in the BBC One show.
Sir Bruce, who bowed out as the regular weekly host of Strictly this year, returned to present the Christmas show with Tess Daly and sung a version of Winter Wonderland, accompanied by professional dancers.
The Christmas special featured the judges in pantomime costume, with Bruno Tonioli as Buttons, acid-tongued Craig Revel Horwood as The Evil Queen, Darcey Bussell as the Fairy Godmother and head judge Len Goodman as Cinderella's father Baron Hardup.
Making his return: Strictly veterean Sir Bruce Forsyth returned for the annual Christmas Day ballroom treat
Making his return: Strictly veterean Sir Bruce Forsyth returned for the annual Christmas Day ballroom treat
Contestants also took on the roles of pantomime characters, with singer Ellis-Bextor as Sleeping Beauty and actress Riley as Dorothy from The Wizard Of Oz.
S Club 7's Stevens also appeared as Tinkerbell, Smith was Jack from Jack And The Beanstalk, TV presenter Hollins became Dick Whittington and astrologer Grant was the genie from Aladdin.
Smith said of his win: 'It's a nice present, I am not going to lie! We've had such a fun time although the first week of rehearsals was hard. 
Doing the double: Louis with his partner Aliona Vilani scored a perfect 40 score from judges Darcey Bussell, Bruno Tonioli, Craig Revel Horwood and Len Goodman
Doing the double: Louis with his partner Aliona Vilani scored a perfect 40 score from judges Darcey Bussell, Bruno Tonioli, Craig Revel Horwood and Len Goodman
A warm welcome: Strictly's former winner Sophie Ellis Bextor lit up the dancefloor in powder pink
A warm welcome: Strictly's former winner Sophie Ellis Bextor lit up the dancefloor in powder pink
Bringing it all back: S Club 7's Rachel Stevens slipped on her dancing shoes and received a whopping 38 for her dance
Bringing it all back: S Club 7's Rachel Stevens slipped on her dancing shoes and received a whopping 38 for her dance
'But since then we have just been chilling out, laughing and giggling, messing around on the dance floor, it's been really good fun.'
The couples also performed a group number to All I Want For Christmas Is You, while the show ended with a pantomime finale featuring professional dancer Natalie Lowe as Cinderella.
2009 winner Chris Hollins and his partner Iveta Lukosiute returned with a charleston to Sleigh Ride first on the night, taking an honourable score of 31.
Bottom of the table: Lisa Riley achieved an honourable score of 32 from the judges, dressed as Dorothy of Oz
Bottom of the table: Lisa Riley achieved an honourable score of 32 from the judges, dressed as Dorothy of Oz
Cheeky chappy: Russell Grant had his moment dressed as Aladdin but fell at the bottom of the table with 29
Cheeky chappy: Russell Grant had his moment dressed as Aladdin but fell at the bottom of the table with 29
Winning ladies Rachel Stevens and Sophie Ellis-Bextor were top of the scoreboard with 38 and 39 scores respectively when they danced with partners Tristan MacManus and Aljaz Skorjanec.
That was until Louis Smith stepped back onto the ballroom stage with Aliona and quickstepped his way to a  perfect 40 from the judges. 
At the bottom of the table was astrologer Russell Grant with 29 and bubbly TV personality Lisa Riley, who achieved a 32.
Champion: Gymnast Louis followed up his glitter ball with a special festive star trophy
Champion: Gymnast Louis followed up his glitter ball with a special festive star trophy


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2887085/Louis-Smith-takes-second-Strictly-Come-Dancing-victory-Sir-Bruce-Forsyth-makes-return-Xmas-special.html#ixzz3MxKwOicB
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