Sorry Bruce, but this show has a spring in its step again: JACI STEPHEN reviews the Strictly Come Dancing final
Caroline's four tens were not because she was trained, they were because she has come far on the proverbial 'journey'
They were all so emotional, at the end. They sobbed about their last dance, about their wonderful partners, about the learning process that had brought them down to the last four.
And then the waiting began, until we learned that the People’s Prancer, Mark Wright, was out first.
But there was no shame. This was, undoubtedly, the closest Strictly Come Dancing final ever. It could have been anyone’s game.
This time last year, however, I thought Strictly was waltzing itself out of the television stratosphere.
What a difference a year makes.
Much as I admired host Bruce Forsyth for his long and illustrious career in showbusiness, I felt the show had lost some of its initial sparkle; the bizarre dances that seemed to bear no relation to the music also didn’t help.
As an ex-competition ballroom dancer (and, thank you, Len Goodman, you always gave me my best marks!), I felt I was watching a gymnastics exhibition rather than a celebration of the glorious, exhilarating world that is dance.
With the exception of the always effervescent and brilliant Bruno Tonioli on the panel, I even felt the judges were tired.
Having always been a fan of Craig Revel Horwood, I saw him reverting to one-liners that, while guaranteed to get a laugh, were not worthy of his skills.
This series has changed beyond belief. The ‘shock horror’ news last week that Caroline Flack was a trained dancer wasn’t a shock at all; many others have been (look at Denise van Outen, who was a Broadway and West End musical star when she appeared in the show).
And what we have seen is the tightest competition ever and the best dancers.
Caroline’s four tens for her cha-cha-cha (not her strongest the first time round), her show dance and her favourite dance in the final – a first, by the way – were not because she was trained, they were because she has come far on the proverbial ‘journey’ on which reality shows thrive.
She was, without doubt, with her partner Pasha Kovalev, a very worthy winner and, despite being dressed as Emu in her final chosen dance, the charleston – ‘strong, feisty, commendable, Dahhling,’ said Craig – the perfect score said it all. If ever she needed a career move to usurp dating One Direction’s Harry Styles from her bedpost list, this must have been it.
And that’s what it is all about now: journeys. ‘You’ve climbed mountains,’ said Len of Blue singer, Simon Webbe, following his final dance, the Argentinian tango.
Craig, too, acknowledged Simon’s extraordinary ‘J’ word (it was clear at this point by their enthusiasm who the judges wanted to win, when Simon was also awarded a full 40 points for his final dance).
The dance show has followed in The X Factor's footsteps in the 'make 'em laugh, make 'em cry' triggers
‘You’ve climbed mountains,’ said Len of Blue singer, Simon Webbe, (pictured with partner Kristina Rihanoff) following his final dance, the Argentinian tango
Viewers were warmed by Mark Wright's tears - the working-class boy made good who became engaged to murdered Tina from Coronation Street
Without doubt, this is a show that has got itself back in tune - with itself, its choice of competitors and, most importantly, its viewers
And how much did we love Mark Wright’s tears? The working-class boy made good who became engaged to murdered Tina from Coronation Street. It was a veritable fairy tale!
Strictly has absorbed that viewers want more from reality shows now. The highlight of this season has been, for me, Jake Wood – heck, this is Max from EastEnders.
Look at those hips move (I am afraid I shed a tear when he went out in the semis; who would have thought that serial womaniser Max was more successful on the dance floor than in the bedroom?).
The key is not in knowing whether someone can dance in advance: you can put someone in front of a studio audience and four harsh judges and they will still get nervous and mess up. That’s the danger element inherent in all the best reality TV.
And while X Factor might trail Strictly in the ratings, the dance show has followed in the former’s footsteps in the ‘make ’em laugh, make ’em cry’ triggers that has viewers hitting the phones (both shows even had Take That as guest stars this year).
Without doubt, this is a show that has got itself back in tune – with itself, its choice of competitors and, most importantly, its viewers.
Judy Murray aside (it will take her longer to win a talent show than it did her son to win Wimbledon), it has not only been the best final, but the best series. Ever. Keep dancing!
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