It hasn’t been the smoothest Strictly run, but even Covid hasn’t stopped series 19’s indomitable beat. As the final three couples fleckerl and jive towards the glitterball on Saturday (BBC1, 7pm) it’s clear the standard has been consistently amazing (ignore that outbreak of calamitous quarter-final lifts). Whoever wins, Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice’s affecting couple’s choice will remain this year’s highlight, but the competition, as ever, is fierce and fab-u-lous.
Here’s a reminder of the celebs in the previous 18 series, ranked from least memorable to unforgettable. As ever with Strictly, the most beloved contestants aren’t always the ones with the most impeccable top line and perfect heel turns: commitment, improvement and an element of surprise (a beard, maybe?) all count when it comes to scoring the Strictly greats.
18. Series 3 — Darren Gough (2005)
The England cricketer and partner Lilia Kopylova topped the leaderboard for the first time in a final best remembered for nailed-on favourite Colin Jackson self-destructing with the controversial “Muppetgate” showdance.
17. Series 15 — Joe McFadden (2017)
A second Strictly win for Holby City — although McFadden’s character was killed off in the same month of his dance triumph. He earned his lone 40 with a final Charleston to Alexander’s Ragtime Band.
16. Series 7 — Chris Hollins (2009)
Avoiding every dance-off in the series, BBC Breakfast sports presenter Chris Hollins ultimately edged out Hollyoaks actor Ricky Whittle with his Charleston to Fat Sam’s Grand Slam in the final.
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15. Series 1 — Natasha Kaplinsky (July 2004)
St-a-a-art dancing! Nobody had seen a newsreader move like this since Angela Rippon on Morecambe and Wise. The BBC newsreader samba’d to victory with Brendan Cole against seven other contenders in this first dawn of the brave new ballroom world.
14. Series 6 — Tom Chambers (2008)
Holby City’s Sam Strachan swept voters off their feet with an unscored final showdance to If My Friends Could See Me Now. Had judges’ marks alone counted, he would have finished third.
13. Series 16 — Stacey Dooley (2018)
The fearless reporter and Kevin Clifton (soon to be her partner off the dancefloor too) were the lowest-scored pairing in the final but won the public vote with their foxtrot and “paso Dooley”.
12. Series 2 — Jill Halfpenny (December 2004)
Paired with Darren Bennett, the EastEnders’ star topped a field of ten in the year’s second Strictly, their jive to Frankie Valli’s Can’t Take My Eyes Off You the competition’s first 40 score.
11. Series 4 — Mark Ramprakash (2006)
England cricket’s unexpected side hustle continued its Hot Hot Hot streak with Mark Ramprakesh and his partner Karen Hardy taking the glitterball. Their salsa is still mentioned in hushed tones among Strictly aficionados.
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10. Series 13 — Jay McGuiness (2015)
The Wanted’s singer was outscored in the final, but the momentum of his Pulp Fiction jive in Movie Week, combined with a final quickstep to My Generation, pushed him to glory. You never can tell, indeed.
9. Series 10 — Louis Smith (2012)
Two-time Olympic pommel horse silver medallist Smith and partner Flavia Cacace’s showdance to Take That’s Rule the World earned them a 40 score, showed off Smith’s gymnastic skills and secured them the public vote.
8. Series 9 — Harry Judd (2011)
The first member of McFly to hit the dancefloor ahead of Tom Fletcher’s appearance this year, the drummer and his partner Aliona Vilani quickstepped to glory soundtracked by the Pretenders Don’t Get Me Wrong.
7. Series 11 — Abbey Clancy (2013)
Few people have been so exuberantly thrilled to win the glitterball as model Abbey Clancy. The last winners on Bruce Forsyth’s watch, she and partner Aljaz Skorjanec scored 40s for their Bee Gees salsa and Des’ree waltz.
6. Series 8 — Kara Tointon (2010)
EastEnders’ actor Tointon’s relationship with partner Artem Chigvintsev extended beyond the dancefloor, and they celebrated their final victory (Matt Baker and Pamela Stephenson the runners-up) with a much talked-about kiss.
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5. Series 12 — Caroline Flack (2014)
Now inevitably tinged with sadness, TV presenter Flack’s victory was an exuberant tour de force as she and Pasha Kovalev performed three top-scoring dances, closing with a Charleston to Istanbul (not Constantinople).
4. Series 14 — Ore Oduba (2016)
The BBC television presenter and partner Joanne Clifton might have won but true dance glory arrived when Oduba earned praise from Gene Kelly’s widow for his American smooth to Singin’ in the Rain.
3. Series 17 — Kelvin Fletcher (2019)
An emergency substitute after Made In Chelsea’s Jamie Laing withdrew injured, the former Emmerdale actor seized his moment with Oti Mabuse, their showdance to the Isley Brothers’ Shout sealing their victory.
2. Series 18 — Bill Bailey (2020)
Bailey once called a stand-up show Part Troll; here though the show’s oldest (and proggiest) winner was all dancer, a sensational Rapper’s Delight routine with Mabuse instantly pitching the comedian into the show’s hall of fame.
1. Series 5 — Alesha Dixon (2007)
Not only did the Mis-Teeq singer win the glitterball with her stellar waltz, cha-cha and jive, she also won a place on the Strictly judging panel for series seven, eight and nine, replacing choreographer Arlene Phillips.
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★ Who is your favourite winner? Do you agree with Victoria Segal’s picks? Join the debate in the comments below ★