'You combine athleticism with artistry, you're fantastic': Denise Van Outen overcomes dislocated rib to wow in Strictly final
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But Denise Van Outen overcame adversity during the Strictly Come Dancing final on Saturday night to wow the judging panel with an effortlessly energetic jive.
The 38-year-old TV presenter and her partner James Jordan won praise from judges Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli, Craig Revel Horwood and Darcey Bussell for her sexy moves on the dancefloor.
She's feeling fine: Denise Van Outen overcame adversity during the Strictly Come Dancing final on Saturday night to wow the judging panel with an effortlessly energetic jive on Strictly
Pulling out her best moves to Little Richard's Tutti Frutti, the star impressed with her 'fantastic energy and impeccable timing' and won a rapturous applause from the audience for her efforts.
Awarding her a near-perfect score of 39 for her first dance, head judge Len said: 'I thought you combined athleticism with artistry there. It was fantastic.'
Bruno added: 'My darling you are wicked. That was a premium grade jive, packed with excitement energy and variety of steps. You deserve to be her darling, you really do.'
Working hard: Pulling out her best moves to Little Richard's Tutti Frutti, the star impressed with her 'fantastic energy and impeccable timing' and won a rapturous applause from the audience for her efforts
Big hit: Denise racked up 39 points for her first dance
Darcey gushed: 'I love this the first time and i love it again. You're fast and furious and it suits you down to the ground.'
But famously acid-tongued judge Craig teased Denise by seeming to criticise her performance, before turning the tables and praising her for her efforts.
He said: 'Limp lame, I'm joking. Fantastic energy, your timing as usual was impeccable. You truly are a great dancer.'
Denise and James then took to the stage for an energetic showdance to Irene Cara's What A Feeling.
Forget what a feeling, what a dance! Denise's second dancer proved to be even better than her first
Electrifying: The pair were seen sliding around the floor together during their second song
Twirling around the dancefloor in a form-fitting sheer black catsuit, the mother of one managed to top even her previous performance with a perfect score of 40.
Len said: 'If that dance was a game of poker you went all in - it had dancer it had talent. I'm so glad that came off as it did because it justified what i thought all along
Bruno added: 'What a feeling what a dance, the lift had an incredible level of difficulty and you pulled it off in a way I've never seen before. That was epic.'
Epic: The judges praised the mother of one for her skill, particularly because she has been suffering injuries
'I loved every second of it': Denise said that she was thrilled with her efforts
Craig gushed: 'It was a little bit hip central for my liking but it was absolutely incredible. I can't believe what your body did.'
And Darcey seemed to be in disbelief at the talent she saw: 'That was flashy, wow you could travel the world doing that and make a lot of money from it. You made that look far too easy.'
But perhaps preparing for the worst, Denise said: 'If this is our last dance then I'm so happy because I loved every second of it.'
Earlier in the week, Denise opened up to Radio 1 DJ Nick Grimshaw about the extent of her injuries.
Top score: Denise was delighted to get 40 out of 40 from the judges
Can they win it? Denise looks tense as she chats with Tess Daly
She said: 'I was practising a lift for the final show and I felt like I'd suddenly been winded and then I found out I've got a dislocated rib and if I breath really deeply I can feel it popping.'
Despite regularly topping the leader board Denise has been in the bottom two the last couple of weeks.
Her dance partner believes that this is down to the public's perception of her dance experience.
Speaking on Lorraine on Tuesday, he said: 'I think certain people keep going on about the fact that they think she’s had professional dance training, which she has not.
‘So the more people talk about it, eventually it sticks in people’s head. Eventually people start believing it and it’s not true. It’s sad I think.'
Top result: The pair were seen sharing a warm embrace after picking up 40 points
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2252198/Strictly-Come-Dancing-2012-Denise-Van-Outen-overcomes-dislocated-rib-wow-final.html#ixzz2Fog7gWsn
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