Strictly Come Dancing - A Worthy Winner

What a fantastic result on Saturday night? I am thrilled Chris won it. Yup I know Ricky was a better dancer and during the show I tried to talk myself around to the idea of him winning and being worthy winner. But do you know what he just never floated my boat and that didn’t change on Saturday. I think I would have preferred to see Ali and Brian performing (by the way they have finally admitted to being a couple – what is it with Strictly and all the off-screen romance?).

Natalie’s pieces to camera really annoyed me on Saturday. You would swear she had never won a competition in her life with her appeals for the win. She has won the Aussie version of the show several times so I wasn’t really buying it. To their credit they gave four fabulous performances, very slick and skilful but it was just lacking something every time.

Chris and Ola on the other hand brought something completely different to the dancefloor – and that was heart! For me their Charleston was their best dance of the night although they clearly danced the other pair off the floor during the side by side Lindehop – not as slick to be sure but full of personality. Finally the judges did the decent thing with the Charleston and threw a few tens their way.

I sense that the public in voting for Team Cola were voting for the pair of them and not just Chris. Ola (Mrs Jordan) has emerged as an absolute star during this series. Her hunger for the win was far more intense that Chris’s. I suspect the man may have feared for the consequences if they did not take home the glitterball on Saturday. A tirade in that mixed-up Polish/English accent followed by a session of nipple-tweaking no doubt. Eek! She played a stormer with her choreography and I loved their showdance which had a little of everything and who knew Chris would be able to juggle Olachops like that?

Chris went back to work this morning apparently and that just sums up why the audience love him so much - an under-the-radar journalist with a famous dad who just happens to have a secret talent for entertaining and is not afraid to slip into bright pink Lycra. I wonder how long they will keep him in the BBC Sport Dept?

All in all two great shows this weekend! No major stars to steal top-billing but let’s face it they were not needed. Rachel Stevens reminded us just what a fantastic dancer she is and more than kept her own with the pro-dancers. Lisa Snowden however did not look match-ready! It was nice to see Jade and Ian back but despite comments to the contrary she would not have made the final.

I enjoyed Bruce and Alesha’s vocal stylings and let’s hope she sticks around next year as she definitely brought some glamour to the proceedings. I see Arlene is having a dig at Alesha today in The Sun saying she is no Cheryl Cole! She’s right, she isn’t because Alesha can actually sing unlike Cheryl. Sour grapes anyone?

Just a suggestion for Bruno, who called Chris a ‘cheeky frantic monkey’ at one stage on Saturday (not to mention his remarks about riding - say no more!). He was on top form this weekend but wouldn’t it be great to see some of that nervous energy he constantly fails to keep in check used up on the dancefloor next year. Get him out there and let him show us how it's done. He clearly wants to!

A great series yet again with a very worthy champion – what am I going to watch on Saturday nights in the New Year?

Bree Treacy

PS Enjoy the Christmas Special at 7pm on BBC One