Sorry, this video isn't available any more.
The results are in – the Strictly Come Dancing 2024 winning pair has been revealed after a history-making episode.
And as if that wasn’t enough, the final broke a huge record, host Claudia Winkleman revealed.
Following three months of hard work, the celebrities remaining on the beloved BBC series were Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell, Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola, JB Gill and Lauren Oakley, and Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec.
Together, they became the highest-scoring final ever with a combined total of 472 out of a possible 480.
But there could only be one champion couple – and it was Chris and Dianne who lifted the glitterball trophy.
Chris also created show history as not only the first blind contestant, but now the first blind winner.
Ahead of announcing the winner, Claudia told viewers: ‘Tonight has been the highest-scoring Strictly final ever! You have about nine minutes left to vote for your favourites.’
Sorry, this video isn't available any more.
After a busy night filled with incredible routines – some even deemed perfect – Tess Daly and Claudia declared Chris and Dianne this year’s winners, after an emotional final.
Asked what it means to win, Chris said: ‘It’s astonishing. I don’t know what to say.
‘I honestly thought I could go out in the first week or two, I know nobody went out on week one but I thought I could,’ he joked.
Turning to his partner Dianne, Chris continued: ‘She’s got so much out of me. She deserves this so much. She’s positivity, and she’s one of the easiest people to be funny with.
‘Unless she changes her number she’s stuck with me.
‘This is for her, and for everyone who was told they couldn’t do something. With opportunity, support and determination anything can happen.’
Claudia reminded Dianne that she’d once said ‘winning isn’t everything’ and added: ‘It feels pretty good though right?’. Dianne responded: ‘It’s pretty cool.
‘Chris said this is for me, but this is me and you, we did this together. This is for both of us. We worked together and we did it.’
The overwhelmed duo embraced before picking up their new sparkly trophy. The runners-up all gathered around to congratulate them on their new impressive title, and judges Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke and Motsi Mabuse got up on their feet.
In a show of great sportsmanship, the 2024 cast then lifted the champions into the air.
It was a busy night with each of the remaining couples performing three routines each – their favourite routine of the series, a judges’ pick, and an epic Show Dance to demonstrate just how much they’ve learnt.
However, first, the episode began with a lively opening dance to Dreamer by Livin’ Joy, and fans were ecstatic to see Amy Dowden back on the floor. She was originally partnered with JB, but needed to exit the contest after an injury.
The evening then fully commenced with the judges selecting a dance for each of the finalists to perform. Rather than leaving them to their own devices, the judges popped into their training rooms to provide advice.
Performing first, JB, 38, and Lauren, 33, were asked to bring back their Viennese Waltz to Let’s Go Fly A Kite from Mary Poppins. They got things off to a flying start (see what we did there) with a score of 40 for their elegant Ballroom routine. It was a huge celebration as it was Craig’s 100th 10 – he even came up to the Clauditorium for a mini-party to mark the occasion.
However, the judges’ scores were only for guidance in the final and the winners’ decision was placed entirely in the hands of the voting public.
Strictly 2024 final scores
JB and Lauren
- Judge’s Pick: Viennese Waltz to Let’s Go Fly A Kite from Mary Poppins – 40
- Show Dance to a Motown Medley – 39
- Couple’s Favourite Dance: Samba to Mas Que Nada by Sergio Mendes – 40
Chris and Dianne
- Judges’ Pick: Couple’s Choice to Instant Karma! (We All Shine On) by John Lennon – 38
- Show Dance to You Get What You Give by New Radicals – 38
- Couple’s Favourite Dance: Waltz to You’ll Never Walk Alone by Gerry and the Pacemakers – 40
Sarah and Vito
- Judges’ Pick: American Smooth to Proud by Heather Small – 39
- Show Dance to Cabaret by Metropole Orkest – 39
- Couple’s Favourite Dance: Cha Cha to Like A Prayer by Madonna – 40
Tasha and Aljaž
- Judges’ Pick: Couple’s Choice to What About Us by P!nk – 39
- Show Dance to Sing, Sing, Sing by Benny Goodman – 40
- Couple’s Favourite Dance: American Smooth to Someone You Loved by Lewis Capaldi – 40
It was then 26 year-old Tasha’s turn, who danced the Couple’s Choice to What About Us by P!nk with Aljaž. ‘Best dancer ever on Strictly,’ Anton remarked in response.
Taking to the floor next were Chris, 47, and Dianne, 35, with a Couple’s Choice to Instant Karma! (We All Shine On) by John Lennon.
The dance included a special moment where the studio was plunged into darkness, and when the studio lights went back on it was revealed that Chris had lifted Dianne above his head.
Motsi was overcome with emotion after watching, and joked ‘300 hours of makeup’ was now ruined.
Finally, the wait was over for Sarah, 53, and Vito, 32, who got to do their American Smooth to Proud by Heather Small again. There was a little bit of drama as Vito’s trousers split but ever the professional, he continued on with the moves.
With the public vote then officially opened, it was time for the Show Dances. JB spoke about his new love of dance before getting funky to a Motown Medley.
Changing the vibe, Tasha and Aljaž took inspiration from Fred and Ginger while dancing to Sing, Sing, Sing by Benny Goodman. She was then surprised by her brother Alex, who flew in from Australia to see her on the show. The tears were flowing during the reunion as they shared a big hug.
Chris brought pure joy with his You Get What You Give by New Radicals Show Dance.
In the VT, Chris and Dianne spoke about the special relationship they’ve formed over the months.
‘I can’t imagine him not being there now. He’s a friend I never knew I needed in my life,’ Dianne said through tears.
Chris also said he hopes that his participation can ‘change attitudes’ to people who are blind, or have disabilities.
He added that his 11-year-old daughter Sophie was initially fearful about him taking part, but is now proud.
Chris concluded: ‘I’ve learnt that I’m more resilient and things don’t have to be perfect to be a success.’
Sarah kept the bar high as she did a routine set to Cabaret by Metropole Orkest. She remarked her life is going to be in ‘black and white’ after the ‘technicolour’ of Strictly.
‘Nothing is ever going to be as exciting again,’ she summarised. While speaking to Claudia, the Strictly superfan became emotional as she spoke about how grateful she was to be in the final.
For their final and favourite performances, JB danced his Samba to Mas Que Nada by Sergio Mendes, before Tasha did an American Smooth to Someone You Loved by Lewis Capaldi. Closing the Strictly chapter made Tasha very emotional, and she wasn’t alone with many of the past contestants also wiping their eyes.
While both pairs barely put a step out of place, JB making X Factor fans happy by recreating his ‘Merry Christmas’ meme in the Claudiatorium was undoubtedly a highlight.
Chris chose his Waltz to You’ll Never Walk Alone by Gerry and the Pacemakers as his favourite dance.
As they sat and discussed their journey in the VT, Chris and Dianne once again both broke down in tears.
Dianne didn’t stop when they were on the floor, and spent their last few steps sobbing. Chris joined her, and remarked ‘we’re both a mess’ as they waited to hear the judges’ thoughts.
Motsi praised Chris for being an inspiration not just to blind people, but to everyone. Shirley then gave Dianne a cuddle for being a ‘special person’, and the camera panned to Dianne’s parents, who were also blubbering. The domino effect continued with Anton needing to take a moment.
Craig then did something out of character and read a poem he’d written for Chris, it began: ‘In a world of darkness, you’ve learnt to dance and slay,’ before joking: ‘You’ve taught the world anything can be done as long as you don’t stick out your bum.’
‘A heart that dances pure and free is worth much more than a 10 from me. Chris, you’re a light that shines for all to see,’ the special message ended.
To bring things to a close, Sarah did her Cha Cha to Like A Prayer by Madonna once again. Both Motsi and Anton agreed it’s the best final they’d ever seen, and called it ‘unforgettable’.
While they waited for the verdict, RAYE put on an incredible performance, and the whole cast returned to the dance floor for one last routine. However, Nick Knowles was missing due to an injury he obtained while training for Strictly and Paul Merson was unable to be there due to feeling unwell.
The gifts kept giving when Ruth Jones appeared as her Gavin and Stacey character Nessa to read the terms and conditions of voting, before a trailer for the upcoming Christmas special was played. After the episode concluded, viewers were then treated to an Outnumbered teaser.
Following their incredible win, Chris was praised for turning the ‘scary’ prospect of losing your sight into a ‘hopeful’ story.
Sorry, this video isn't available any more.
Debbie Miller, director of customer advice and support at the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), told the PA news agency that Chris has been ‘absolutely incredible’ and inspiring for not just the community of blind and partially sighted people, but everyone.
‘I’m not sure they (Dianne and Chris) thought that they could achieve it, and they were quite honest about that,’ she added.
‘I think generally people would consider losing their eyesight as really scary, and I think that a lot of people feel that way so I think what Chris has done is said, “It’s scary, but there’s hope, and anyone can achieve with that opportunity and support”.’
More Trending
She explained that ‘if people are willing to adapt and challenge themselves in terms of how they do stuff, then representation will get a lot stronger’, and said that the ‘whole team at RNIB’ have been rallying behind him throughout.
‘We’ve heard stories already about people that we’ve supported finding dance clubs or other sports clubs that they can get involved in on the back of seeing Chris, and we know that some studios have looked at it as well and thought, “Well, what can we do to change to engage more people?”,’ Miller added.
She said clubs often ‘choose to do nothing’, as they ‘worry’ about what kind of support they should give, and urged them instead to try something and seek feedback from people with disabilities.
Hot Property Picks from Metro
What I Own: Our £320,000 Leeds cottage has a country feel, but it's almost in the city
Street with ‘monstrously large £8,000,000 homes’ named most expensive outside London
It takes 9 days to put my Christmas decorations up — it’s a meticulously planned mission
A £10 guest fee and a non-existent kitchen: 6 renters share their wildest landlord stories
Would you pay £6,000 a month to live in a house with a shark in the roof?
Strictly Come Dancing is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE: Inside Chris McCausland’s private life including wife Patricia ‘who talked him into Strictly’
MORE: Strictly fans baffled as another star fails to attend epic 2024 final
MORE: How much do the Strictly professionals get paid? Judges, celebs and dancers pay revealed
