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Friday, 25 December 2015

McFly's Harry Judd crowned the winner of Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special as he scores a perfect 40 for magical American Smooth

PUBLISHED: 19:39, 25 December 2015 | UPDATED: 21:14, 25 December 2015

He won the 2011 series with this year's pro dancer champ Aliona Vilani.

And one Glitterball isn't enough for McFly star Harry Judd, as he returned to the dancefloor on Friday for the Christmas special of Strictly Come Dancing.

The drummer lifted the Silver Star trophy during the seasonal special after wowing the judges with his magical American Smooth, performed with professional partner Joanne Clifton.

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Champion again! 2011 Harry Judd was crowned champion of Strictly Come Dancing's Christmas special, lifting the Silver Star trophy with professional partner Joanne Clifton

The Christmas champions scored a perfect 40 from the Judges for their American Smooth to 'Baby, its Cold Outside'. The Judges scores were combined with the votes from the studio audience to decide the winner.The 2011 winner joked before he hit the floor that the last time he danced the American Smooth he scored a 39, thanks to a nine from the show's notoriously hard-to-please judge Craig Revel Horwood.

In the end though Harry needn't have worried as Craig told the musician: 'I absolutely loved it, I thought it was fab-u-lous!'. Head judge Len Goodman added:

'Harry, I have truly missed watching you dance. Smooth as icecream melting on a hot mince pie, it was delicious.'

See the latest Strictly Come Dancing updates on Harry Judd winning the Christmas special

Wowing them: The Christmas champions scored a perfect 40 from the Judges for their American Smooth to 'Baby, its Cold Outside'

This year's Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special had a magical Christmas theme and all the contestants took on the roles of characters from various family favourites including Jack Frost, Puss in Boots, Scrooge, Hansel and Gretel, Rapunzel and Alice in Wonderland.

Not wanting to miss out on the fun, the Judges also entered into the festive spirit. Darcey Bussell dressed up as Snow White; Len was Snow White's father known as The First King; Bruno Tonioli was Snow White's handsome Prince and Craig came as Grumpy from the Seven Dwarves.

Six of the most memorable Strictly Come Dancing winners and contestants from previous series returned to the ball room for a festive edition of Strictly, hosted by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.

Sir Bruce Forsyth recorded a special Christmas message to his fans, after he was forced to miss the festive episode, pulling out due to his ongoing recovery from keyhole surgery on an abdominal aortic aneurysm in November.

Simply magical: This year's Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special had a magical Christmas theme and all the contestants took on the roles of characters from various family favourites

2013 winner Abbey Clancy was just behind Harry as she performed a Waltz to 'When I Fall in Love' with pro partner Brendan Cole, scoring 39, with the judges hailing her 'grace and elegance'.

TV and Radio presenter Lisa Snowdon, who competed in the 2008 series, and Pasha Kovalev wowed with their Quickstep to 'Let it Snow' and scored 37 after a string of positive comments.

2014 favourite Alison Hammond was paired with Robin Windsor for their Cha Cha to 'Celebration', earning 31 and a string of eights much to the TV star's delight.

Back for more: 2013 winner Abbey Clancy was just behind Harry as she performed a Waltz to 'When I Fall in Love' with pro partner Brendan Cole, scoring 39, with the judges hailing her 'grace and elegance'

Show favourite: TV and Radio presenter Lisa Snowdon, who competed in the 2008 series, and Pasha Kovalev wowed with their Quickstep to 'Let it Snow' and scored 37 after a string of positive comments

Former Royal Marine Medic Cassidy Little, who stole the nation’s hearts when he became the first People’s Strictly Champion for Comic Relief this year, was reunited with his partner Natalie Lowe for a Jive to 'Cool Yule', scoring a total of 35.

Actor Tom Chambers and Oti Mabuse finished up the show, hitting the Strictly floor for a Charleston to 'Santa Claus is Coming to Town'. Craig loved the dance, calling it 'full of character and absolutely brilliant.'

Darcey commented that the Scrooge themed dance 'definitely wasn't stingy with the dance content.' The star, who won Strictly way back in 2008 with partner Camilla Dallerup, matched Harry's score with a perfect 40, but the studio audience decided the McFly drummer just edged him out for the trophy.

Look who's back! 2014 favourite Alison Hammond was paired with Robin Windsor for their Cha Cha to 'Celebration', earning 31 and a string of eights much to the TV star's delight

Inspiration: Former Royal Marine Medic Cassidy Little, who stole the nation’s hearts when he became the first People’s Strictly Champion for Comic Relief this year, was reunited with his partner Natalie Lowe for a Jive

Top of the scoreboard: Actor Tom Chambers and Oti Mabuse finished up the show, hitting the Strictly floor for a Charleston to 'Santa Claus is Coming to Town', scoring another 40

Double champion: Harry said of his second Strictly win: 'It's amazing, thank you so much everyone'

Harry said of his second Strictly win: 'It's amazing, thank you so much everyone. I had the most amazing time and I just want to dedicate this to Joanne who has been an incredible teacher and an incredible dancer. Thank you and Happy Christmas!'

Joanne added: 'It feels amazing and I am so overwhelmed. Harry is an absolute natural and performed amazingly on the Christmas special.'

'I want to say a massive thank you to him for being such a great dancer, partner, student and friend – he has made this experience such great fun for me. I am glad he can take home the Silver Star trophy and show his baby when it is born in January! I also want to say well done to the other contestants because as a group we put on a fantastic show!'

In step: Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly were back to host the Christmas special, after Sir Bruce Fosyth was forced to pull out due to ill health

Festive spirit: Not wanting to miss out on the fun, the Judges dressed up as fairytale favourites

Nice to see you! Sir Bruce recorded a special message, telling viewers he was 'absolutely gutted' to be missing out on the show

What a performance! The all-stars joined forces for an energetic group dance to close the show

Star on the floor! Dame Shirley Bassey also performed as the scores were totted up

Tuesday, 22 December 2015

Aliona Vilani QUITS Strictly Come Dancing after winning the show with Jay McGuiness

'This has been my best series by a long way!' Aliona Vilani QUITS Strictly after winning the show with Jay McGuiness amid criticism of their cosy relationship

Announced her departure on Twitter after winning the 2015 series
First appeared on Strictly in 2009 and has since returned for six seasons
Won the series with McFly drummer Harry Judd in 2011
Said dancing with The Wanted's Jay was her 'best Strictly experience ever'
Pair raised eyebrows with their close relationship, and looked particularly cosy as they left show afterparty
Jay dismissed romanced rumours and said Aliona was his 'best friend'
Aliona married businessman Vincent Kavanagh on the Caribbean island of St Thomas in 2014
This year, became the first professional ever to win the show twice
Aliona was previously axed from the show in 2013 but returned to replace injured dancer Natalie Lowe that series
For more of the latest Strictly news visit www.dailymail.co.uk/strictly

By MARC JACKSON FOR MAILONLINE

PUBLISHED: 12:00, 22 December 2015 | UPDATED: 17:25, 22 December 2015

Aliona Vilani has sensationally quit Strictly Come Dancing just days after winning the latest series.

The professional dancer, who guided The Wanted singer Jay McGuiness to victory this season, has told fans her triumphant turn on the 2015 run would be her last.

Taking to Twitter, she explained: 'Going into this Strictly Come Dancing series 13, I decided that no matter what would happen, it will be my last one.'

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Last waltz: Aliona Vilani has sensationally quit Strictly Come Dancing just days after winning the series with celebrity partner Jay McGuiness

However, the blonde insisted that after seven years on the BBC hit, this season was her favourite by far.

She continued: 'After 7 years on Strictly Come Dancing, as my finale, this has been my best Strictly experience ever by a long way!'

Aliona joined the BBC show in 2007 and previously won with McFly's Harry Judd.

The announcement comes after the married dancer faced criticism over her very cosy relationship with the former The Wanted singer.

However, Jay insisted Aliona was his 'best friend' and said their chemistry on the show was all part of the act.

End of an era: Aliona, who has changed her handle to her married name Kavanagh on Twitter, revealed she had decided this series would be her last before it began

What a finish: The professional added that working to Jay had been her best time on the show in the seven years she worked on it

Very close: The announcement comes after the married dancer faced criticism over her cosy relationship with the former The Wanted singer

Look of love: However, Aliona Vilani looked blissfully happy as she left her last ever Strictly Come Dancing with husband Vincent Kavanagh after Saturday night's finale

Just the two of us: Aliona revealed she had quit as she jetted off to Florida with her husband Vincent Kavanagh

He explained on ITV's Lorraine chat show: 'When you dance with someone you have to create romance sometimes and people then want to see that almost.

'We did something that so few people do together, I genuinely will treasure it forever.

'Honestly, you spend that many hours together you talk about every single thing, like the most trivial and the most pretentious, literally everything. No matter what happens you get a best friend out of Strictly.'

After announcing her Strictly departure, Aliona jetted off to Florida with her husband Vincent Kavanagh and she has also changed her Twitter handle to her married name.

Aliona posted a picture of them on Twitter and wrote: 'Florida bound to see family! #HappyHolidays (sic).'

Silencing the critics: The blonde beauty was seen leading her Irish businessman husband - who she wed last year - by the hand after shooting her last ever Strictly following weeks of growing speculation surrounding her friendship with Jay McGuiness

All good friends: The couple enjoyed a laugh with Jay's former The Wanted bandmate Siva Kaneswaran

Eye contact: Aliona gazed adoringly at her partner as they headed home together after her victorious night on the ballroom floor

Her relationship with Jay was a regular talking point among fans of the show.

In pictures of the pair the day before their win, they could be seen walking along a road holding hands, before Aliona placed a tender hand around Jay's neck and pulled him towards hers.

There, she seems to whisper into the 25-year-old boyband singer's ear as he closes his eyes.

But, in the extraordinary pictures, they look every bit as much a couple off-screen as they did on it.

Champion: Jay spoke on ITV after his win to say he would 'treasure' the experience for his entire life. He previously denied anything romantic was involved in his close friendship with the blonde dancer

Sizzling: Jay insisted Aliona was his 'best friend' and said their chemistry on the show was all part of the act

They also regularly held hands on the red carpet and in between rehearsals, raising further eyebrows about their friendship.

Jay was quick to dismiss any speculation that their relationship was anything but platonic early on in the show.

The pop star - who is single - said: 'Aliona is happily married to an Irish fellow who I think is a legend.

'So my eyes won't wander in our rehearsals. She's the one in control and I'm the one who needs to be constantly told what the hell it is I'm supposed to be doing.'

Rumour mill: Aliona has been married to Irish businessman Vincent for over a year

Raising eyebrows: The pair's closeness sent ripples through Strictly fans from early on in the series, with the pair often being spotted out holding hands or in close embraces

In June 2013, it was claimed that Aliona had quit the show, though she insisted that she had been axed unwillingly.

She was said to be 'very upset' and 'in a state of shock' over the dismissal, which went in tandem with four other professionals who 'quit the show' that weekend.

'I feel I should make it clear that I haven't left, 'she said at the time. 'It was definitely not my decision and choice to leave Strictly - let's see what happens.'

Romance? Saturday's Strictly final saw one of the duo's steamiest dances yet

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That's love: Jay has since said that Aliona is his 'best friend'

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Close: Their chemistry and close connection was undeniable, but they have said it was not romance

Cute duo: Perfectly matched on the dancefloor, Jay and Aliona have grown very close

She also told The Mirror newspaper: 'It was not my decision to leave, I have only just been told by bosses that I was not coming back - they didn't give me a reason and I was too upset to ask why. I was just told that I was out and that was that.

'It was very difficult to hear, I had planned to be on the show this year so I will have to make new plans. Right now I am very upset and in a state of shock.'

Despite the disagreement with the show's producers, she was later invited back to replace injured dancer Natalie Lowe in September the same year to dance with championship golfer Tony Jacklin, but they were eliminated in the first week.

Best yet? Despite winning with Harry Judd in 2011, Aliona has called the latest series her best

Ending on a high: She will win with two victories in the bag, more than any other professional

She came back two more series after the shock sudden departure but joins Ola Jordan and Kristina Rihanoff in the stars to have quit after the current 2015 series.

A testament to her success, this year Aliona - who's also served as a guest on Dancing With The Stars in the US - became the first professional to win the show twice.

She even came very close in 2010 as well when television presenter Matt Baker took the runner up position to winner Kara Tointon.

So close: She came closest to her first glory in 2010 when she danced with Matt Baker

Early elimination: Aliona danced with Tony Jacklin in 2013 as she replaced injured dancer Natalie Lowe following a furor in which Aliona was allegedly sacked. The pair left in the first week

Strictly Come Dancing: Aliona Vilani furious after being axed from the show - Mirror Online

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Friday, 25 December 2015

McFly's Harry Judd crowned the winner of Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special as he scores a perfect 40 for magical American Smooth

McFly's Harry Judd crowned the winner of Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special as he scores a perfect 40 for magical American Smooth

Tuesday, 22 December 2015

Aliona Vilani QUITS Strictly Come Dancing after winning the show with Jay McGuiness

'This has been my best series by a long way!' Aliona Vilani QUITS Strictly after winning the show with Jay McGuiness amid criticism of their cosy relationship

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