'I can finally say I won something in the year 2012': Olympic gymnast Louis Smith lifts the Glitterball Trophy on Strictly Come Dancing
By SARAH FITZMAURICE and LOUISE SAUNDERS
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The 23-year-old Gymnast and partner Flavia Cacace beat Kimberley Walsh and Denise Van Outen to the top spot on the show.
Louis managed to make a joke about missing out on a gold medal at the Olympics in London this summer and told Tess Daly: 'I can finally say I won something in the year 2012.'
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Winners: Louis Smith and his partner Flavia Cacace lifted the Glitterball on Saturday night's Strictly Come Dancing final show
Louis was quick to pay tribute to his partner and said: 'She has been an absolute legend.'
He added: 'She is the nicest person I have ever met.'
And it's clear that Flavia thinks equally highly of her partner as she thanked him for showing her his 'amazing talent and skill'.
What a joker: The 23-year-old gymnast made reference to narrowly missing out on a gold medal at the Olympics and said he could now say he won something in 2012
Hugging out it: Flavia, who has been in the final of the dancing show before, seemed delighted to finally be lifting the Glitterball
Flavia, who has been in Strictly final before but never won until this series, was delighted and hugged her partner tightly after the result was announced.
Louis was the bookies favourite to take the top spot on the show, although he didn't receive the highest score from the judges during the final show on the night.
Girls Aloud singer Kimberley proved to be a gracious runner-up and told said: 'It has been absolutely amazing and we have loved every minute of it and I’m so, so happy for Louis.'
Utter delight: Flavia was seen with her head in her hands as Louis let out a scream
She's can't believe it: Flavia admitted that winning the show was a bit of a shock and she thanked Louis for showing her his skill
Louis pulled out all the stops to win the public vote, including going topless for his second performance.
The Olympian completed three dances during the evening, including the Charleston, the Salsa and a showdance that showed off his impressive gymnastic skills.
Louis was the last to take to the stage with his medical themed Charleston and Craig Reveal Horwood was the first judge to point out just how tough the competition was.
Shock! Louis Smith and his partner Flavia Cacace seemed stunned to learn they had won Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday night's live final show
He said: 'This is going to be so difficult at home. I don’t know how anyone will make a decision.'
He also ditched his critical opinions to give Louis high praise and told him: 'You have worked solidly on that.'
'Your personality and character have really come to the forefront.'
Close bond: Louis described Flavia as the nicest person in the world
Overcome with emotion: Flavia was seen hugging the 23-year-old gymnast as they learned they had earned the most votes from the public
Darcey noted: 'I love that you add the cheeky Louis into the performance.'
Len also had high praise and noted: 'That was a gold medal performance.'
Bruno said the performance was 'Just what the doctor ordered'.
He added: 'You came out here with more tricks, more fun and more accomplished than ever.'
Gracious loser: Kimberley said she was happy that Louis had won and said she had enjoyed a fantastic time on the show
'You’ve proved that you’ve got it and you can do it and you are there at the top where you belong.'
After finishing his last dance, which he commanded 39 from the judges Louis joked that he had such a brilliant time on the show he would love to be invited back next year.
Denise and Kimberley were runner's up while Dani Harmer came in fourth place.
The TV presenter might well be disappointed with her position after coming top of the leader board in the final of the show with two perfect 40s and a score of 39.
Fancy footwork: Kimberley had impressed with her final dance to scoop 40 points
Cheeky Charleston: Denise Van Outen also scored a full house for her final dance
Denise also performed a Charleston for her last dance to Walk Like An Egyptian.
Len told her: ' I will never forget your Charleston it was fabulous. You have been fantastic my darling.'
For Craig it was: 'Simply the best Charleston' ever seen on the show.
Darcey echoed his enthusiasm and said: 'I’m the same You are a true professional, you look like a true professional babe.'
Denise and partner James Jordan were rewarded with a perfect 40 for their efforts and while Denise was delighted she admitted to feeling sad that it was their last dance of the show.
Kimberley and her partner Pasha Kovalev were also awarded a full house of tens from the judges for their final dance too.
The whole gang back together: The contestants who didn't make it to the final also made an appearance on the show
Guest performer: Robbie Williams took to the stage to perform during the final of the show
The singer was told by Burno that she had 'blossomed as a dancer' and he admitted he couln't take his eyes off her.
Darcey added: 'I so enjoy it when you are moody. You can win medals with that pout babe.'
Len admitted that 'Nimble Kimble' had provided him with some highlights on the show and described her as 'spectacular'.
After Dani was told she was in fourth place and before Louis was announced as the winner of the show all the contestants of the show who had left the competition before the final returned to the stage for one last dance.
Viewers were also treated to a performance by Robbie Williams.
Impressive moves: Denise VanOuten wows the judges with during her first dance during the Strictly final
After the first two dance in the first of the final shows both Louis and Denise impressed the judges with their incredible displays, topping the leaderboard with a joint 79 points out of a possible 80 after their first two dances.
Denise was first to take to the stage, pulling out her best moves to Little Richard's Tutti Frutti.
Impressing with her 'fantastic energy and impeccable timing', the 38-year-old TV presenter 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.'
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.'
In it to win it: Denise and James Jordan prove how much they want the mirrorball trophy
Potential winner: Denise seems to be really getting into her first dance, dressed head-to-toe in red
No slip ups: The pair seem pleased with how it had gone as they wait for the judges' comments
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.'
Dani Harmer and her partner Vincent Simone were next to take to the dancefloor, with the judges choosing a tango to Adele's Rumour Has It for their first performance.
And although the 23-year-old actress was praised for her technical skills, the panel couldn't help but point out a few wobbles.
Bruno said: 'You've always been a very good technical dancer. But tonight, because you were passionate there were a couple of wobbles, but you really tried to get the character right.'
Giving it her all: Dani gave her final dances all she could, but got mixed comments
Baring all: Dani showed off her toned tummy in a purple cropped top and skirt for her first dance
Craig added: 'Apart from the minor stumbling, your work has always been clean, precise and polished.'
But Darcey and Len were full of praise for the diminutive star.
Len gushed: 'You are the spirit of this show and what it's all about. If someone had told me in week one little Dani was going to be in the final i wouldn't have believed them, but you have been so consistent and danced to a high level.'
Darcey added: 'You were a cool, fast, feisty and sophisticated woman. You looked beautiful and there was great attack in that.'
Following on from Dani's score of 36, Kimberley Walsh received unanimous praise for the 'grace, skill and timeless elegance' she displayed in her Viennese waltz to Christina Perri's A Thousand Years alongside professional partner Pasha Kovalev.
Embracing the romance: Kimberley Walsh shows off her elegant side in her impressive first dance
Fairytale princess: The Girls Aloud star puts on her best performance for the final
Great start: The pair are delighted as they get a score of 39, one mark off a perfect 40
Craig said: 'You have grown so much this series it's unbelievable, not only in the dancing but also in your confidence.'
Darcey added: 'You are a true actress, the feeling you give is incredible. You're graceful and you glide across the dancefloor.'
Len explained he 'loved' the performance, while Bruno said: 'Beautiful and shining like a diamond. It had everything a Viennese Waltz should have; grace skill and timeless elegance. Perfection.'
Scoring 39 from the judges, the Girls Aloud singer seemed utterly overwhelmed to have made it so far.
Next up was Olympic silver medal-winning athlete Louis, who wowed with a Salsa to I've Had The Time Of My Life.
Darcey said: 'It wasn't safe, it wasn't controlled. It was free and you spiced up the dancefloor. Flavia, you have made him a fab dancer.'
Time of my life: Louis Smith goes all Dirty Dancing for his first dance
Pucker up: Louis kisses Flavia Cacace's hand during his first routine, as he does his best to come out on top
Heating up: Louis seems to have come along way, as bags an impressive 39 for his first dance
Praising professional dancer Flavia Cacace, Len added: 'Flavia, you are flavulous. You perfectly staged that routine. Louis, your hips, your bum was great. Last time you were like a budgie, this time you were an eagle.'
Bruno gushed: 'Oh yes, Louis. You've been hiding for so long but it was worth waiting for. you have an ease of movement and fluidfity, you've got your eyes on the ball
But Craig soured the mood somewhat to boos from the audience, saying: 'I didn't like the shoulder roll with the big old pout.'
Denise and James then took to the stage for an energetic showdance to Irene Cara's What A Feeling.
Twirling around the danceloor 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.'
Second dance: Topping her first dance, Denise and James got a perfect score for their second
On fire: The TV star gave her most impressive performance yet, wowing the judges
Over the moon: Denise has the trophy in her sights as she picks up a score of 40 for her second dance
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.'
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.'
Change of pace: Actress Dani performs her second routine in front of the live audience
Not so great; The pair only manage to pick up a 35 for their second dance, not quite as good as the others
Next up for their showdance was Dani and Vincent, who performed an action packed routine to Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen, to a mixed response from the judges.
Bruno said: 'Very very ambitious and very interesting concept. i felt you were a little bit nervous. your power was there but not as slick as it usually is.'
Craig added: 'Your transitions in and out of the lifts were slightly lumpy. but the content and the way you performed was extraordinary.'
Darcey pondered: 'That choreography was very difficult but it was brilliant. Incredibly well done, it wasn't easy.'
But Len had nothing but praise for the former child star, saying: 'Dani, you may be small but for me your talent is huge. A dancing cocktail - a little bit of rhumba mixed in with a paso doble - intoxicating.'
Dani didn't seem to let the slightly negative comments get to her, telling host Tess Daly she was happy with her performance.
Skin-tight: Kimberley performs in a black catsuit for her second dance, before whipping it off to reveal a tiny pink dress
Racy routine: The singer dashes behind a screen during the routine, adding to the racy dance
What a lift: Kimberley sexes it up during the routine to Crazy In Love
Scoring a disappointing 35, she explained: 'I threw everything into that but if it's our last dance, what a dance to go out on. of course I'd love to be in the top three but what will be will be.'
Kimberley was next to dancefloor, wowing the audience and judging panel alike with her saucy and sexy routine to Beyonce's Crazy In Love.
Putting on her best Beyonce impression, the 30-year-old beauty strutted her stuff in a stunning black catsuit before ripping it off to reveal her incredible curves in a barely-there fuchsia minidress.
An astounded Craig gushed: 'Indecent, improper... absolute filth, darling.'
Darcey added: 'You certainly burned up that dance floor, that was wild! It was spicy, it was hot. It was stunning. You were very graceful. Sometimes it was wild, but I actually loved it like that.'
Winning streak: The singer has topped the leaderboard on numerous weeks
Not quite perfect: Again, Kim misses out on a perfect score by just one point
Len wowed: 'It was Kimberley's greatest hits; it had impact, speed, flair. You were like a phoenix.'
And Bruno practically screamed: 'Yes yes yes, Kimberley. It had passion, you were smoking hot and deliriously sexy. It's a hit!'
Next to take on the judging panel after Kimberley's 39 was a topless Louis, who impressed with a new take on the showdance - a slow and sensual routine to Take That's Rule The World featuring a daring lift.
Darcey said: 'You blew me away. That had grace, fluidity and was sensual. That was brave to do - such a graceful and seamless dance. Very different from anything else I've seen in a show dance.'
Topless: Louise Smith dances his last dance topless, wearing tight leggings
Skills to good use: Louis uses some of his gymnastic techniques to help him win
Impressive: The Olympian seems relaxed with his top off as he chats to the judges
Len added: 'When you started i thought it will be all gymnastics and flip flops. That lift... if this show goes on for another 20 years I don't think will see another showdance as magical as that.'
Bruno gushed: 'The strength of a superhero. You went from another angle; deeply effective and memorable.'
And handing out the fourth perfect 10 to Louis, Craig said: 'Only have two words for that fabulous.'
After the first two dances, Louis and Denise were joint top of the leaderboard with scores of 79 out of a possible 80.
After the first two dances, Louis and Denise were joint top of the leaderboard with scores of 79 out of a possible 80.
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