Louis & Flavia have danced and backflipped their way to the title of Strictly Champions 2012! The Olympic gymnast was always a favourite and he’s been on such a journey that it’s no wonder he won the nation’s votes!

Louis & Flavia began the final by dancing the Judges’ Choice, their ‘Dirty Dancing’ Salsa to ‘I’ve Had The Time Of My Life’. They gained a 39/4o guide score from the judges after tweaking the performance and adding a few new moves.

Their showdance really was amazing! A contemporary-style, gymnastic based dance, showcasing Louis’ strength and stamina. It was smooth and sensual and achieved a perfect 40/40 from the judges!

So, that’s it for Strictly 2012 (well, apart from the Christmas Special!). It may be 9 months until we meet again, but keeeep dancing!

Dani & Vincent are the first couple to be eliminated from the Strictly Final! The cheeky munchkins managed to avoid the dance off every week, but in the end, their performance tonight was not enough to get them through!

Dani & Vincent performed a classic and quite traditional showdance to ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’. It included elements of many traditional Latin& Ballroom dances. There were a few errors, but for me, it was a worthy showdance.

Here are some great photos from their Final night:

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The Strictly Come Dancing 2012 Grand Final opened with a bang – a fantastic professional dance and a spectacular entrance from our four finalists! Tonight it is in our hands as our votes alone decide who will win…

Denise & James

Judges’ Choice: Jive 

You have to hand it to Denise, who comes out each week, smiling and all guns blazing, despite the difficult press she has experienced throughout the show. This Jive was sharp, amazingly energetic and full of bounce. Len thought she “combined athleticism with artistry”, Bruno said is was a “premium grade Jive” and Craig called Denise a truly great dancer.

9,10,10,10 = 39

Showdance to ‘What A Feeling’

This dance began with pretty much every dance trick in the book, gravity defying lifts, spectacular spins, the works! “Epic” Bruno exclaimed, “You went all in” said Len. There was some Tango in the middle and an eye-watering splits at the end. They certainly showed what Denise’s body was capable of, but it seemed to me to be a great big ‘show off’ dance rather than a well-considered routine.

10,10,10,10 = 40

Dani & Vincent

Judges’ choice: Tango

An intense, fiery tango from the diminutive dancing divas! Bruno ad Craig praised her excellent, clean and precise technical skill. She did make a few minor errors, but who can blame her with the pressure she must be feeling! Len said Dani is “the spirit of the show…what Strictly is all about”

9,9,9,9 = 36

Showdance to ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’

For me, this was much more like it! As the judges kindly pointed out, it was not perfect (lumpy transitions in and out of lifts etc) but it was energetic, fast-paced and showcased lots of the moves from classic Ballroom and Latin dances. Very entertaining!

8,9,9,9 = 35

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After weeks of blood, sweat, tears and sequins, the Strictly Come Dancing Grand Final 2012 is almost upon us. Each of the 4 couples will dance at least 3 different routines throughout the evening. Read on for all the details…

Each couple will perform their Showdance and one of their previous dances, chosen by the judges.

After the public vote, one couple will be voted off at the beginning of the results show, which will also be shown on Saturday night, this week.

The 3 remaining couples will dance their favourite dance of the series and after an opportunity for more public voting, the winner will be announced.

The Dances

Main show: Saturday 6.30pm – 7.55pm, BBC1

Kimberley & Pasha

Judges Choice Viennese Waltz to A Thousand Years by Christina Perri

Showdance to Crazy in Love by Beyoncé

Denise & James

Judges Choice Jive to Tutti Frutti by Little Richard

Showdance to What A Feeling by Irene Cara

Dani & Vincent

Judges Choice Tango to Rumour Has It by Adele

Showdance to Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen

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With the Strictly final just one week away, Sir Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly invited the five remaining couples to take to the dance floor to perform two dances in a bid to impress the judges – Len Goodman, Darcey Bussell, Bruno Tonioli & Craig Revel Horwood – and the viewers at home.

The judges’ scores were combined with the results of the viewers’ votes to decide the lowest scoring two couples. When all the judges scores and viewers votes were combined, Lisa Riley and Robin Windsor and Denise Van Outen and James Jordan became the next two couples to face the final and most important Dance-off of Strictly Come Dancing 2012.

Both couples performed their highest scoring dance from Saturday night, for Lisa and Robin this was the American Smooth to All That Jazz from Chicago, and Denise and James performed their Tango to Roxanne by Sting and The Police.

After both couples performed to standing ovations, the judges delivered their verdict.

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Strictly semi-final week is upon us and with it came two dances for each couple to master. Did the extra pressure push them over the edge or result in the best performances we’ve seen? Let’s see…

Dani & Vincent

American Smooth

A classic, polished American Smooth from a confident and relaxed Dani. She was a little uncertain getting in to the lift positions and I did think the routine was a little bland; Darcey said “a bit safe”. Bruno said if she carried on like this her wish (presumably to win?) may come true!

8,8,9,9 = 34

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This week the stakes are raised as the five remaining couple have to tackle two dances! Here’s what they’re dancing, the music they’ve chosen and a sneak peak at their training!

Kimberley & Pasha

American Smooth to ‘Fever’ & Charleston to the theme from ‘Magnificent men in their Flying Machines.’

Denise & James

Tango to ‘Roxanne’ &  Rumba to ‘The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face.’

Louis & Falvia

Foxtrot to ‘Somebody I Used to Know’ & Jive to ‘Why Do Fools Fall in Love?’

Lisa & Robin

American Smooth to ‘All That Jazz’ & Salsa to ‘Best Years of Our Lives’.

Dani & Vincent

American Smooth to ‘I Just Haven’t Met You Yet’ & Argentine Tango to ‘Libertango.’

Here they all are in training:

The weather is closing in and all you want to do is curl up on the sofa with a glass of wine and watch Strictly. To help with your midweek slump, here’s a little bit of the Strictly news and gossip!

Handbags at Dawn

With only a couple of weeks until we decide who lifts that glitterball, tensions are running high in Strictlyland! The Daily Star has reported that after the dance off on Saturday night, Denise Van Outen and Karen Hauer had words!

Karen was apparently very unhappy about leaving the show and reportedly said that Denise was all “jazz hands, teeth and no substance”!

James Jordan, Denise’s pro partner was on hand to defend her, but this girl can really fight her own battles! She has also made the papers this week after claiming that Chris Evans has damaged her chances of winning the prestigious ‘Strictly champ’ title.

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With so many accomplished dances on Saturday, it was a great show! The ‘dance fusion’ theme meant there was more to look at and take in, so here are all the photos from the evening…

Denise & James’ Quickstep/Jive

Dani & Vincent’s Charleston/Quickstep

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