Favourites Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola win this year’s Strictly Come Dancing

The Strictly Come Dancing final was a spectacular night filled with superb dancing, impressive scores, and extravagant performances. Nevertheless, the results were not surprising for those who placed bets. Ellie Leach and her partner, Vito Coppola, who were favourites from the beginning, emerged as the winners. As they joyfully held up the glittering trophy amidst the shower of colorful confetti, it was the perfect ending to yet another delightful season.

Leach, who previously appeared on Coronation Street, has noticeably grown and developed over time. Despite not being initially favored, she has become a fiercely talented performer, showing a combination of excellent skills in both ballroom and Latin dancing. Her ability to tell stories through her performances has won over many fans, making her a well-rounded and likable addition to the dancing world. With her infectious energy and undeniable talent, it is likely that she will find success on the West End stage in the future.

Coppola, who was loved by fans, was able to make it to last year's final in his first series alongside partner Fleur East and came in second. This year, the Italian dancer improved as he partnered with Leach and they created a strong and energetic duo on the dance floor. Their rumored romantic connection may have even helped in enhancing their dance chemistry.

Sweetly, Leach dedicated her victory to her partner, expressing, "You are crying more than I am, which is a rare occurrence. This win is for you." Coppola complimented, "You are a diamond in the rough and can now shine brightly. I am incredibly proud of you. You are stunning." The panel of judges additionally acknowledged that she entered as a girl but left as a woman.

The grand finale of the 21st season is anticipated to attract 11 million viewers, solidifying the show's success in comparison to other reality TV shows. Despite others losing their popularity, the BBC's ballroom hit continues to remain afloat. It has become an integral part of Christmas traditions alongside Advent calendars and commercials from grocery stores.

For the last 13 weeks, there were 15 teams consisting of celebrities and professionals competing in Strictly. After weeks of elimination, only three pairs made it to the finals all of which were made up of actors in their 20s, making this the youngest ever Strictly final. They each performed three dances, including their personal favorite, one chosen by the judges, and an anticipated showdance, each trying to win the championship. This finale lasted two hours.

Leach has been a top performer throughout the series, consistently scoring 35 points or more and being a permanent fixture near the top of the leaderboard. Despite this, she unexpectedly ended up at the bottom of the judges' scoreboard after her latest performance. Even though her pasodoble was fierce and her American smooth was fit for Hollywood, her ambitious lifts in the showdance were unstable. Fortunately, she had already won over the hearts of the audience of Strictly.

Out of all the finalists, Leach was the only one who managed to escape the unpleasant dance-off. It was highly desirable to have a female winner since the competition had mostly been dominated by male participants in the past few years. Prior to Leach's victory, only two women had emerged as champions in the last eight series.

Layton Williams and his partner, Nikita Kuzmin, aimed to make history by becoming the first couple of the same sex to win the championship. Throughout the competition, Williams achieved four flawless 40s, leading the rankings for more than half of the weeks and becoming the highest scorer overall. He lost only one point during the final, which involved three dances, and received a total score of 119 out of 120, topping the scoreboard.

The final outcome is determined solely by the audience's votes. Because of his experience in stage school and musical theatre, Williams was thought to have an advantage in a contest for non-professionals. However, the British public believes in fairness and he did not receive enough viewer support to be declared the winner. While Williams is known for his captivating performances, fans of Strictly tend to prefer contestants who start with little skill and show improvement over time. Williams faced harsh criticism and offensive online comments, but he remained positive and emphasized the power of love.

Bobby Brazier, an actor from EastEnders, was the third contestant to reach the final alongside his dancing partner, Dianne Buswell. Even though he was only 20 years old, Brazier showcased his graceful and chic dance moves that impressed the judges. He paid tribute to his mother's memory during his emotional Couple's Choice routine, causing everyone in the audience to shed a tear. Brazier is the son of Jade Goody, a late reality star.

Brazier possessed an impressive ability to captivate and has won over the hearts of the country. His showdance was inspired by La La Land and left a lasting impression with its dynamic jazz performance. He received exceptional scores of 39 for all three of his routines, which would typically secure a win in most seasons. Regrettably, this season was marked by an exceptional level of talent, one of the highest seen in the past two decades, which left him unable to secure the top spot.

The 2023 Strictly cohort gathered in the ballroom for a final group dance to celebrate and reminisce about their time together. The occasion allowed everyone to revisit unforgettable highlights like Les Dennis' disco samba and Angela Rippon's impressive leg lift.

Things were already pretty exciting, but then things got even better when Cher, a seasoned pop star, showed up as the special musical performer. Not only that, but Olly Alexander from Years & Years also appeared to reveal that he will be representing the UK in the upcoming Eurovision song competition.

Perhaps the most touching tales to arise from this program originated from the lower rankings. Krishnan Guru-Murthy, a news anchor for Channel 4, fully embraced the competition (even the flashy costumes and makeup for men) and discovered joy through dance. Annabel Croft, a retired tennis player who lost her husband just half a year ago, danced her way through her sorrow and regained her self-assurance.

The genuine essence of Strictly lies in remarkable changes, not just in obtaining an excellent grade or achieving a prize. The 21st installment displayed an exceptional display of optimism, variety, and companionship. This certainly uplifted the spirits, especially during the week before Christmas.