'Vincent has won something at last!': EastEnders star Charlie Brooks pokes fun at her partner as she wins the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special
By Marcus Barnes
Last updated at 10:12 PM on 25th December 2011
Charlie Brooks was the Christmas champion on this year's special edition of Strictly Come Dancing.
The 30-year-old took the title after winning the audience's share of the final vote after the judges tied her with fellow competitor Debra Stephenson.
But it was the EastEnders star's Jive, with partner Vincent Simone, that helped Charlie dance her way to victory in the end.
Champion: EastEnders star Charlie Brooks with her trophy after she triumphed in the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special
Rocking around the Christmas tree: Charlie and partner Vincent Simone stole the show with their Jive
Blue's Simon Webbe kicked off the show with Katya Virshilas.
With the support of bandmates Anthony and Duncan in the audience he danced the Cha Cha Cha to Slade's Merry Xmas Everyone.
The singer worked his way through a raunchy routine as a man who comes home to his wife who's been preparing the dinner table.
Tea's up! Katya prepares the dinner table waiting for Simon's arrival
Honey, I'm home! Simon took to the dancefloor with supreme confidence oozing class throughout his routine
He powered through a confident display wearing a purple short-sleeved shirt with Kaya in matching purple dress.
The routine closed with the couple sat down with a newspaper and certainly impressed the judging panel. Struggled with lift close to the end.
Len Goodman commented: 'It was crisp like fresh snow, sharp like the air on Christmas morning, hot like a mulled wine. Tutty fruity what a booty!'
Hands-on: The Blue star's routine was sexy and commended by the judging panel
Read all about it! Simon and Katya pretend to read a fake newspaper with the headline 'Dancing the Christmas blues away'
While Alesha Dixon said: 'Strong, animalistic, totally in control, a very confident performance.'
An ever-enthusiastic Bruno Tonioli added: 'I know its Christmas, but all of a sudden it feels like midsummer. So much hot totty I feel dizzy.'
Craig Revel Horwood said: 'You were a powerhouse of strength, Amazonian.'
Fine and dandy: Debra Stephenson and Ian Waite get stuck in to their American Smooth routine which won them 37 points
Next up was comedian Debra Stephenson, who partnered Ian Waite for their take on American Smooth.
Dancing to Christmas classic Baby, It's Cold Outside Debra wore a sparkling silver dress with partner Ian in a grey tux.
They took to the dancefloor starting their routine on a chais longue and performing their routine with panache.
Up and at 'em: The duo worked their way through their routine with precision and grace
I won't take this sitting down: Ian Waite kicks off the routine on a chais longue
Finishing with a big lift and returning to the chais longue, it was an impressive turn which landed them with 37 points.
Alesha telling her: ' You look gorgeous, nice line, turns, in control. Fantastic.'
Whereas Len added: 'Like a fairy on top of the tree, you were light and fluffy. Baby it's cold outside, but you warmed me up.'
Past stars: This year's celebrity dancers were in the audience to watch the Christmas special - they closed the show with a huge routine
Hi-De-Hi actress Su Pollard provided the evening's light relief partnering Anton Du Beke for their own take on the Foxtrot
A snow covered Anton warmed his hands on a fake fire while Su arrived on a sleigh, Bing Crosby's White Christmas playing as they got stuck in.
The stars were both in white, that was until Anton stripped off Su's white dress to reveal a mint green number.
Slaying the Foxtrot: Su Pollard joins Anton Du Beke on the dancefloor for their comedic routine
Su pulled funny faces throughout and appeared awkward and stiff, Anton leading her around the dancefloor.
At the end he shoved her back into the sleigh, pushing her backside to get her back in.
Though host Bruce Forsyth saw the funny side, Craig was usual gloomy self telling Su: 'It did lack some fundamental points - elegance, grace, style... you also did go off on the wrong foot.
But Su butted in and told him: 'Once that happened I couldn't get on the right foot then!' and proceeded to pretend to stab him while he defended himself with chair.
Helping hand: Anton led Su around the dancefloor during their performance
Going for gold: Su Pollard pretends to attack Craig Revel Horwood
Len on the other hand, embraced the Christmas spirit and told Su: 'You came out like the snow queen, white and gorgeous. Then there was a metamorphosis and you turned into this Christmas tree. I didn't see anything Craig did. You had Anton, like Rudolph the red nose reindeer, guiding you round the floor.'
Alesha said she wanted to give Su an extra point for attacking Craig.'It was done with affection,' Su replied.
Bruno also enjoyed the good humoured dance, telling the actress: 'You have such range. You were crackers on a sleigh and a smitten kitten on the dancefloor.'
It started with a kiss: Barry McGuigan and his partner Erin Boag
Barry McGuigan danced the Quickstep with Erin Boag and admitted in rehearsals that he was very scared of performing the dance, particularly given his height disadvantage.
Erin wore a red dress as they danced to a jazzed up version of classic carol Jingle Bells.
The former boxing champion appeared a little awkward - he lacked finesse and ambled along at times though the reaction was very positive from the judging panel.
Here we go! The boxer managed to pull off a respectable Quickstep though Craig Revel Horwood was quick to dismiss him
Jolly good show: Though he was a little awkward, Barry still clocked a good score
Bruno said: 'The bells are ringing, you were faster than Lewis Hamilton. Fantastic Quickstep, well done.'
Craig, as ever, laid in with the serious commentary, telling Barry: 'You could do with more length of bone, you lost your balance, your hands need shaping, you need spots on your turns. The end position left a lot to be desired. But you had great posture, I loved the Charleston section.'
Last up, and eventual winner, was actress Charlie Brooks AKA EastEnders' Janine Butcher who took to the floor with Vincent Simone.
Full of energy: Charlie Brooks and Vincent Simone snatched victory with a spritely take on the Jive
Dressed as Santa, Vincent gave out presents to female members of the audience before unveiling Charlie from a sack.
Charlie wore a Mrs Santa as the duo danced a very energetic and precise Jive to Santa Claus Is Coming To Town in front of a receptive audience.
Energetic from the outset, the routine was punctuated by a spectacular lift towards the end which saw Vincent swing Charlie round and step over her with each leg.
Plenty of swing: Vincent performed a spectacular lift, spinning Charlie around under his legs
They received a standing ovation and great feedback from the judges.
Len said: 'That was sharp and tasty like a pickled wlanut in a bit of cheese. Terrific Jive.'
Alesha commentted: 'Fast paced great energy kicks and flicks. Pure fun.
While an ecstatic Craig crowned Charlie's victorious dance by saying: 'One word, three syllables, starting with F... fab-u-lous.'
Though she was tied with Debra, Charlie eventually emerged as the winner thanks to the audience vote.
Also featured on the show was Shakin' Stevens and the entire cast of this year's run of Strictly, who performed a huge final dance to close the show - with the judging panel also joining in.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2078591/EastEnders-star-Charlie-Brooks-wins-Strictly-Come-Dancing-Christmas-Special.html#ixzz1haxnPmaa
