Strictly Come Dancing, theBBCs biggest TV entertainment show, has gone out in style in its 20th anniversary year, crowning blind comedianChris McCauslandthis years champion after an emotional final.
The dance show the BBCs original show that paved the way for dozens of international versions (including the USsDancing with the Stars) had had a chequered few months, weathering a string of controversies, with two professional dancers accused of abusive behaviour in rehearsals (both denied) and a group of new guidelines introduced to protect celebrities welfare.
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What the show desperately needed were some positive headlines to sideline these bad stories, and thats what it has enjoyed with this series combining unprecedented standards of dancing, and an inspiring champion in blind comedian Chris McCausland.
Blind comedian Chris McCausland with his Strictly Come Dancing partner Dianne Buswell, 2024BBC
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For the first few weeks of this series, McCausland remained at the bottom of the leaderboard, saved regularly by the publics vote.
But each week, he became braver and more ambitious with his dancing, culminating in a spectacular moment during week 8 when he twirled his partner above his head while the audience cheered.
There wasnt a dry eye in the house as the popular Liverpudlian collected his Glitterball trophy and paid tribute to the efforts of his professional partner, Dianne Buswell in using unconventional methods in teaching him to dance.
Charities for visually-impaired people have been quick to applaud the win, applauding McCauslands efforts in showing what is possible for disabled people.
Apart from his victory, the show has enjoyed some other feel-good stories one celebrity Tasha Ghouri, who wears a cochlear implant since being born deaf, has blinged up her hearing equipment each week, and her watching fans has followed suit.
Pop singer J B Gills professional partner Amy Dowden had to leave the contest due to injury but he made it to the final with a substitute dancer, and actress Sarah Hadland proved what was possible for older women, scoring a row of 10 marks from the judges for her final routine of the night.
All in all, it was quite the series, and the BBC can breathe again their golden egg of a show has been rescued.
