Source: Daily Mail
Pamela Stephenson was the first contestant to be voted off the Strictly Come Dancing 2010 final tonight.
The 61-year-old star, who had earlier wowed the judges with her show dance, and her partner James Jordan received the least amount of votes from the public.
After finding out she had failed to made it into the final two, Pamela turned to James and said: ‘James, you have been just incredible.
‘You’ve made it the most joyful experience I’ve had for a really, really long time. Your talent and your patience have made it outstanding.’
Pamela earlier received a standing ovation from the audience as she performed her show dance to I’ve Had The Time Of My Life with James, beaming as she took to the dancefloor and getting a huge round of applause from the audience.
And Pamela added: ‘I just hope that everything comes together. This is our last chance to get in the final two – it’s make or break!’
Afterwards, Alesha led the judges’ comments, giving them a nine and saying: ‘What a brilliant song choice which sums up you and the series. You’ve sparkled every week – it was perfectly played for you, it suited you and it was spot on.’
Bruno, who gave the pair their only 10 for the show dance, said: ‘A truly terrific uplifting tribute to a movie classic. Perfectly pitched by James, who showcased her ability. That’s going to be hard to beat.’
Craig, who awarded the couple a nine, said: ‘There was a big old stumble, I did notice. But you are an extremely natural dancer and so watchable, it’s fantastic. ‘
And Len, who also gave them a nine, said: ‘What you’ve done, a little element of waltz, salsa and foxtrot – you’ve used all the skills you’ve learned and I thought it was charming. Well done.’
After the performance, Pamela said: ‘It really has been the time of my life and I’m so appreciative to the women and men who have helped me get to where I am.’
And James cheekily added: ‘Nobody puts Granny in the corner!’
Tonight’s finale was opened by an energetic performance from the Strictly Come Dancing professionals, who danced to Eye Of The Tiger, with the girls sporting boards featuring the names of the three finalists.
Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev, Pamela Stephenson and James Jordan, and Matt Baker and Aliona Vilani were then welcomed to the dancefloor wearing boxing gowns and gloves ahead of the competition.
Head judge Len Goodman also kept the boxing analogy going as he introduced the show with a microphone hanging from the ceiling.
Presenter Tess Daly looked stunning in a full-length white gown with a sparkly silver asymmetric top, while Bruce Forsyth wore a black tuxedo with white waistcoat.
The first show of the evening saw the three finalists bring back their top-scoring dances, as well as unleashing their final show dance.
Up first were Matt and Aliona, who performed the Samba to Young Hearts Run Free , complete with a lot of hip movement and even some back flips from Matt, which earned him a series of cheers and applause from the audience.
Speaking about being in the final, Matt said: ‘It’s just such a special feeling to know that you’re there – last weekend was such an emotional weekend.
‘Initially I thought Strictly would be quite fluffy – a bit of glitter here and there, could it be that intense? But believe me, it can – it’s just you, your partner and the floor.’
And as well as his natural dancing talent, it is Matt’s chemistry with dance partner Aliona which has seen him get through to the final.
Describing their chemistry, Matt said: ‘Aliona and I realised very quickly that we have a very similar outlook – she will dance what I’m feeling.’
Aliona added: ‘I have actually been on a real, real journey – it’s been a blast.’
Before taking to the dancefloor, Matt said: ‘To be the last man standing is brilliant – to be the last one standing would be phenomenal.’
It was then time for the judges to pass their judgement on the performance.
Len was first up, giving the couple a 9 and saying: ‘We are expecting you to dance to the standard that has got you to this final, and that’s what you did Matt. You came out, full on, and did so well – well done.’
Alesha Dixon, who awarded Matt and Aliona a 10, said: ‘The last time we saw this dance was in Blackpool and you’ve done it again. I think it’s the perfect way to open the show and I think it’s the best samba of the series.’
Ever-amusing Bruno Tonioli, who also gave them a 10, said: ‘There’s nothing better than a hot Latin samba to cheer up everyone in a cold snap. You’re samba was even better this time.’
And Craig Revel-Horwood, who gave them a 9, said: ‘All good, I’m afraid. It was more confident than last time, I thought it was fantastic. That hip action is torrid, darling, it works very very well!’
Talking to Tess after the performance, Matt said: ‘We wanted it to be a real celebration of everything we’ve done, and it feels brilliant to go out there and just dance – I’m so happy.’
Kara and Artem were up next, performing the Rumba to an instrumental number.
Before taking to the dancefloor, Kara said she couldn’t believe she had made it through to the final of Strictly.
She said: ‘To have made it through to the final is one of the biggest achievements of my life. I don’t think I’ll ever forget when Artem slid towards to me on that first show. I had hoped to be with James or Anton, but I think he’s forgiven me.
‘It took me a few weeks to come out and let go. The first dance I did well with was the Paso Doble. In Blackpool the emotions were running high, I’d injured my partner, and then we did the best performance we’ve done in the whole show.’
And while Kara has been doing so well on the show, there has been much speculation about her relationship with Artem, which will now only be furthered by her emotional recounting of their time together on the show.
She said: ‘The most special thing about this whole exeprience has been meeting Artem. He is so special, he’s one of the….’, before her tears stopped her from continuing.
She then managed to add through her crying: ‘And I think lifting the glitterball with him would be amazing.
‘Strictly is like some kind of life camp – you learn so much about yourself. I will look back at this experience as one of the biggest and most amazing experiences of my life, and I never thought I’d say that.’
Artem added: ‘I don’t think I can imagine a person who deserves to lift the glitterball more than her. You only realise something special when it’s near the end, and this is definitely special!’
Alesha led the judges’ comments, giving Kara and Artem a 10, and adding: ‘I started welling up before you started dancing. You have been on such an emotional journey and it’s amazing. But I think you have raised the bar even more since last week.’
Bruno, also gave them a 10, and said: ‘That was an amazing rumba of hypnotic beauty. It was stunning.’
Craig was the only judge to give the couple a 9, saying: ‘Bruno is absolutely right. But there was an illegal lift in there – one foot should remain on the floor at all times.’
Len, who gave them a 10, said: ‘That routine reminds me of myself in many ways. THe more you see it, the better it gets. Well done!’
After the performance, Kara said: ‘That one was easy so we only did that last week, but hopefully the others will be OK.
‘A 10 from Craig would be the icing on the cake, but I’m not going to ask him for it.’
Up next were Pamela and James, who performed the Viennese Waltz to Unchained Melody.
Speaking about making it to the last show, Pamela said: ‘When I found out I was through to the final, it was so exciting – it felt surreal. I didn’t realise that James were so overcome, he’s actually really sensitive.
‘It has been the most fun experience of my whole life. I have really appreciated all of the things the judges have said, especially the comments about taking risks, because that was vital in our success.
‘When I was asked to do strictly, I was out of the limelight so it was very weird for me to come back to it.
‘The world of Strictly has been a completely amazing experience. It’s the best fat camp in the world!
‘Strictly has ignited something in me which I really thought had been lost. I have discovered something I hope will continue for the rest of my life.’
However, James admitted he was unsure how well Pamela would do when they first met, adding: ‘If I’m totally honest, I thought we would get halfway. After week one, I realised she had the potential to become something really great.’
Talking to Tess after the performance, Pamela said: ‘It’s so emotional for me and it’s my husband’s favourite dance. I’m so grateful for people that have got us here.’
Pamela and James were given the first full marks of the evening, getting 40 out of 40 – a 10 from each of the judges.
Bruno said: ‘Beautiful acting, beautiful dancing, completely focused. Simply brilliant.’
Craig added: ‘Simple, effective, you both play by the rules which I adore. Another remarkable performance.’
Len said: ‘I think the correct 3 have got into this final. You all are here on merit. It’s hard to maintain that level of dancing’, while Alesha said: ‘So elegant and graceful. That for me was more emotional than the last time. That was like an invitation into movie magic – it was just beautiful.’
The couples then came back with their show dance – the performance where there are no rules.
Matt and Aliona were up first, performing to I Like The Way You Move.
Matt wore a waistcoat, trousers and a flat carp, while Aliona stuck to a sexy tie top and hotpants.
Before the performance, Matt admitted he was daunted by the fact he was required to complete so many different style of dancing.
He said: ‘It’s the final. You have one chance and you just want to go out there and give it everything. It could be our last ever dance.’
After the dance, Len, who gave them a 9, said: ‘The thing is with show dances is that you want a routine that makes you feel good, music that inspires you and you want to come out and have fun and entertain. And I think that’s what you did. There was a few too many stunts and tricks for me.’
Alesha, who also gave them a 9, said: ‘I like that you put a little bit of street dancing in there, I loved the gymnastics, It was very entertaining.’
Bruno, who awarded the couple a 9, said: ‘It was a gymnastic extravaganza and I can see you put a lot of work into it. It was very entertaining.’
And Craig, who gave them a 7, said: ‘It was too static in places, the amalgamations didn’t flow together too well, I felt like you were stopping and starting. The whole concept for me didn’t entirely come together.’
Afterwards, Matt said: ‘Words cant describe how much I want to win.’
Kara and Artem were up next, dancing to Don’t Stop Me Now.
Before taking to the dancefloor, Kara, who wore a sexy, low-cut white and red catsuit for the performance, said:
‘This is our last chance to impress – a lot rests on this performance. If we make it to the end move, this will be our creme de la creme of the whole competition.’
Craig was first up to pass judgement, giving them a 9, and saying: ‘Sadly you missed a lift, the timing at the end was off but I’ve got to say how much courage you have to do a routine like that because that is difficult stuff.
Len, also awarded them a nine, and said: ‘The routine did have the potential to get top marks, but the music was so hectic.’
Alesha, who also gave them a 9, said: ‘I thought it was a fantastic combination of moves which showed your dance ability. And I feel like you’re a true athlete after that!’
Bruno finished the judges’ scores with a nine, saying: ‘That’s what happens when you push things to the limit. It was going beautifully but at the end you lost timing and the end stopped it being the blockbuster it could have been. But the work that you did was amazing.’
Afterwards, Kara said: ‘It’s going to be really weird when Strictly ends, I think I’m going to have to buy some sparkly pyjamas to watch things from home!’
At the end of the first show of the evening, the judges’ leaderboard was led by Pamela and James and ended by Matt and Aliona at the bottom.