Showing posts with label Strictly Come Dancing. Show all posts

Strictly Come Dancing star Aliona Vilani shows off her champion figure at Miami beach

Monday, December 26, 2011 at 5:44 AM

Strictly Come Dancing star Aliona Vilani shows off her champion figure at Miami beach

By Alanah Eriksen

Last updated at 12:58 PM on 26th December 2011

She wowed on the dance floor in her skimpy costumes, showing off her skilful moves.

And now Strictly Come Dancing winner Aliona Vilani has flaunted her killer curves on the beach.

The 27-year-old Russian was spotted in a blue and purple printed string bikini in Miami, Florida, during a Christmas trip with her parents.

A dancer's figure: Strictly Come Dancing winner Aliona Vilani, partner of McFly's Harry Judd, lapped up the sun in Miami with her parents

After a dip in the ocean, the redhead donned a bucket hat to protect herself from the harmful rays before lying on a sun lounger.

But despite living and dancing in the U.S. since she was 13, Aliona, who took the Strictly title with McFly's Harry Judd last weekend, thought she wouldn't be recongnised during her break.

Relaxing: Aliona said she thought she wouldn't get recognised in the U.S. and ventured out without brushing her hair, when fans asked for autographs

Looking good: The dancer showed off her curvy derriere in this blue and purple-printed string bikini

She shared a funny story about her success across the Atlantic.

'Walking around shopping with parents...mom turns and asks 'ummm are u gonna brush your hair today?'...I go 'ma who cares :-) I'm resting,' she wrote on Twitter.

' I go 'to tell you the truth ma it's so nice to just do whatever you want when no one around knows you'...mom 'I can see that lol'...

Enjoying her time off: The very bronzed redhead cooled off with a dip in the sea before retiring to the sun lounger

'Seriously 5 min later as we're crossing the road 3 lovely couples start to shout 'omg can we have a picture, can't believe.....'

'I look at my mom and think 'are you kidding lol this is not happening'...Moral of this story kids, listen to your mom and brush your hair.'

She added later: 'Keep meeting lovely fans in Miami, thank god my hair is brushed lol...my dad couldn't believe it all (like me) and started to cry with pride.'

We did it! Aliona with her dance partner Harry after winning the BBC show

EastEnders star Charlie Brooks pokes fun at her partner as she wins the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special

Sunday, December 25, 2011 at 4:19 PM

'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.

Strictly so long for Ola and James Jordan as they bid farewell to their ballroom friends at cast Christmas party

Tuesday, December 20, 2011 at 11:23 AM

Enjoy the tour! Strictly so long for Ola and James Jordan as they bid farewell to their ballroom friends at cast Christmas party

By Georgina Littlejohn

Last updated at 3:39 PM on 20th December 2011

They were unceremoniously dropped from next year's Strictly Come Dancing UK tour after being told they 'wouldn't be needed'.

But even though Ola and James Jordan are still very party of the ballroom dancing show family, last night gave them the opportunity to wish their friends a Merry Christmas - and the best of luck on the tour.

The couple were one of many guests at the 'Post-Strictly/Pre-Midnight Tango Party' thrown by dancers Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace at the One for One nightclub in Mayfair, central London.

Loved - but no wanted: Strictly Come Dancing professionals Ola and James Jordan arrive at a party held by fellow dancers Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace where they wished them good luck on the upcoming show tour

Celebrity dancers from past and the most recent show were there as they toasted Christmas with a few drinks - and no doubt a boogie or two.

But the party also gave Ola and James the chance to say goodbye to their friends before they all head off on the Strictly tour next month.

Ola, 29, and James, 33, who have been married for eight years, were told last week that they would not be joining the tour, which kicks off in Birmingham on January 20.

The hosts: Dance partners Flavia Cacace and Vincent Simone held the party for their Strictly friends at a nightclub in Mayfair

James took to his Twitter page last Tuesday to tell fans he had received an email from tour bosses telling him and his Polish wife that they had been dropped.

He wrote: 'Myself and Ola will definitely NOT be doing the Strictly Tour! Just received an E-MAIL to say we are not needed!!'

According to sources, the reason they were not included in the 2012 tour is down to James and his behaviour behind the scenes.

I'm so proud of her: Queen's Brian May arrived with his wife Anita Dobson, who was partnered with Robin Windsor on this year's show

Say cheese! Brian took his camera out to snap some photos of his own

They said his bust-ups with show judge and tour director Craig Revel Horwood were the real reason the husband and wife team were left out.

One said: 'James's behaviour this year has been getting worse and worse. He has been throwing strops on live television and his behaviour has really annoyed show chiefs.

'This decision certainly came as a surprise to the Jordans - but bosses have thought James in particular needed a reality check for a long time.'

Glamorous: One of this year's contestants Nancy Dell'Olio and former celebrity dancer Louisa Lytton also attended

She's back! Former judge Arlene Phillips was also at the bash looking very seasonal in her animal print trim coat and chic black dress

A spokesperson for the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour said: 'Unfortunately, with 14 celebrities and 14 professional dancers in the Strictly Come Dancing television show it is simply not possible to take everyone on tour.

'The celebrity line up for the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour is not confirmed until quite late, largely due to the busy schedules of the celebrities and their existing commitments.

'Once the celebrity line up is confirmed, the tour is able to confirm the professional dancers accompanying them on the tour.

In the party mood: Dancer Robin Windsor and former celebrity contestant from last year, actor Jimi Mistry

Good friends: Vincent and Robin greet each other with a hug and a smile for the cameras

'Since the first tour in 2008 there have been changes to the line up of professional dancers and, on this occasion, Ola and James are not in the professional line up.'

Also attending last night's party were a mixture of professional dancers and celebrities from the last and past series.

Nancy Dell'Olio was there looking her usual glamorous self as well as former contestant and EastEnders star Louisa Lytton.

Anita Dobson, who was paired with Robin Windsor this year, who also showed up, arrived with her rock star husband Brian May, and former judge Arlene Phillips was also on the guest list.

Sexy: Ola in a her slinky catsuit dancing with celebrity partner, retired tennis player and TV presenter Andrew Castle

Chelsee Healey is 'lost' without Strictly Come Dancing: 'I'm really upset, I don't know what to do'

Monday, December 19, 2011 at 2:48 PM

'I'm really upset, I don't know what to do': Chelsee Healey is 'lost' without Strictly Come Dancing

By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 1:50 PM on 19th December 2011

She thought she'd be knocked out in the first week, but instead wowed the Strictly Come Dancing judges to come second.

Now Chelsee Healey says she feels so gloomy about the end of the show she doesn't know what to do.

The 23-year-old admitted she was 'really upset' about the competition being over first on ITV's Daybreak and then Lorraine this morning.

Strictly lost: Strictly Come Dancing runner up Chelsee Healey took to the sofas of Daybreak and Lorraine today to lament the passing of the dancing competition

Interesting outfit: Chelsee teamed a salmon pink jacket with tight satin leggings and Gucci wellies for the TV appearance

'I don't know what to do,' she told Nadia Sawalha, who was standing in for Lorraine Kelly.

'Strictly becomes a big part of your life and to wake up and not think about it and not to go to training - it's really upset me.'

The Waterloo Road actress was the clear winner in the wardrobe stakes for the Strictly after-party in Blackpool yesterday, after donning a chic black dress with a flash of green sparkle.

Outfit change: To avoid a horrendous clash, Chelsee swapped her salmon pink jacket for a black number with studded shoulders for the Daybreak sofa

OK, it goes better with purple... sort of: The pink jacket was back on for the actress's spot on Lorraine

But the garish salmon-pink jacket she chose to wear for her TV appearance this morning clashed with her slightly orange complexion.

She teamed it with skin-tight satin leggings and Gucci wellies that did nothing to add to the look.

She, or perhaps a stylist, had swapped the salmon jacket for a black one for her Daybreak appearance, perhaps to avoid a hideous clash with the show's red sofa.

Glamour: Chelsee had channelled some serious old Hollywood glamour into her Strictly after-party outfit

But by the time she hit Lorraine, the salmon was back, faring slightly better against a purple backdrop.

Modest Chelsee had told Daybreak's Dan Lobb and Kate Garraway that to get to the Strictly final had been 'an amazing achievement in itself.'

'It would have been nice to win don't get me wrong,' she added. 'But I'm really happy even to have come second because that's amazing for me. I'm just dead grateful'

Chelsee also revealed her gruelling schedule while she was on the show.

She would be on the Waterloo Road set for 7am, work through until 7pm before going off to train with Strictly partner Pasha Kovalev until 10pm.

Wow! Chelsee and partner Pasha Kovalev danced their way to second place in the final show at the weekend

Even with such focus, she never expected to win.

'I always prepared myself that I was going to go first, that's just me. I always think the worst,' she said.

'I never expect, I just kind of go with it and then if I did stay on it was an amazing surprise for me.'

And, after joking that judge Craig Revel Horwood was 'tight' after only giving her a nine for one of her performances in the final, she admitted to Sawalha her new found fame was 'weird.'

'I'm only getting to grips with it now. I'm still me but a lot more people know my name,' she said before adding: 'It's lovely, it's so nice... it's weird though'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2076106/Strictly-Come-Dancings-Chelsee-Healey-loss-show.html#ixzz1h1Vng2nH

The best Strictly ever, no contest: CLAUDIA CONNELL gives her view from the sofa

at 12:15 PM

The best Strictly ever, no contest: CLAUDIA CONNELL gives her view from the sofa

By Claudia Connell

Last updated at 12:11 AM on 19th December 2011

Fourteen weeks ago, Strictly promised the best series ever. Nobody took much notice at the time because, let’s be honest, they say that every year.

This time, though, it was actually true and Strictly Come Dancing 2011 was, hands down, the best in the show’s nine-year history.

So you can forgive the BBC for throwing what must have been the entire year’s light entertainment budget at Saturday’s grand final in Blackpool.

Winners: Harry Judd and dance partner Aliona Vilani contributed to the best Strictly yet

The spectacular opening sequence had a gladiators theme with the three finalists entering the arena in chariots.

I’m not sure the film Gladiator would have taken £300million at the box office if Russell Crowe had settled his scores with a samba rather than a sword. And Anton Du Beke didn’t make a terribly convincing Roman swordsman – more Minimus than Maximus – but it was camp drama all the same, and set the tone brilliantly.

Proceedings kicked off with the celebrities dancing the judge’s favourites from the series. Harry Judd was up first with his quickstep which earned him the perfect score of 40 and much leering over by Bruno Tonioli, who flirted shamelessly with the young pop star – despite his girlfriend sitting in the front row.

Much has been made this series of Tess Daly’s questionable fashion sense.

Top marks: Chelsee Healey was a worthy runner-up in this year's dance-fest

Every week she lures me into a false sense of security when, at the beginning of the show, shot from the waist up her outfit looks rather fetching and stylish. Only when the camera pans down to reveal the number in full length is the horrible truth realised.

And so it was on Saturday night. I ohhed and ahhed at her strapless silver sequin frock – then grimaced in horror as what looked like nicotine-stained net curtains attached to the hem came into view.

For the second instalment she changed into a black-and-white lace number which looked stunning – until the camera pulled back to reveal a bottom half that could have been designed by Edward Scissorhands.

Jason Donovan followed Harry, with the judges selecting his I Will Survive tango as their favourite dance of the series. Always the contestant who’s taken the show the most seriously, Jason looked worryingly wide-eyed, manic and in danger of spontaneously combusting. Thank heavens he seemed to calm down after the first dance.

Sadly, nerves appeared to have got the better of him and, unlike Harry, he probably danced the routine better the first time around. Even I noticed that his bottom was sticking out like a baboon so it was no surprise he lost marks.

Chelsee Healey’s first dance was her amazing Shrek-themed Jive which was as frenzied, fun and bouncy as ever – I only hope it wasn’t too traumatising for 3D viewers. Next came the show dances which, just like the swingathon, often fail to live up to the hype. Harry’s rock ’n’ roll routine featured more lifts than Tom Cruise’s shoes with poor Aliona spending more time in the air than on the ground.

The consensus in my living room – as well as on internet forums – is that Chelsee’s show dance was daring but very messy looking.

With so many adventurous lifts thrown in, it was just as well she’s incapable of falling flat on her face.

Attention: Nancy Dell'Olio arrived for the after-show party in a dramatic red PVC dress and said guests, 'acted as if she were the real winner'

In the end it was Jason who delivered the best show dance of the evening.

It was predictable, but still rather a shame, that he was the first to be voted off, leaving just Chelsee and Harry in the running for glitterball glory.

For a moment it felt like watching some modern-day version of Pygmalion – Harry with his cut-glass public schoolboy accent alongside little Chelsee with an accent so broad that a few subtitles wouldn’t have gone amiss.

Chelsee gave us a beautifully sensuous rumba before repeating her air-hostess quickstep routine but didn’t manage to clock up a 40 for either of them despite ‘giving it all what I’ve got to give’.

Harry gave us a seriously smooth American smooth followed by the Argentine tango, about which Craig Revel Horwood had previously said: ‘It was filth and I loved it.’

Steamy and seductive as ever, it earned Harry a mark of 40 and possibly a couple of phone numbers from a drooling Bruno and Craig.

Earlier in the evening former contenders performed. Nancy Dell’Olio, true to form, flashed her knickers and clomped around like a lame carthorse one more time.

Robbie gave us a couple of crotch thrusts while Edwina and Russell, who looked like they’d been entering the same pie-eating contests in recent weeks, huffed and puffed their way through the routine.

When Harry was named the winner it wasn’t much of a surprise as he outperformed Chelsee in all four dances. She may have lost the trophy but, over the past three months, she won millions of hearts and I can’t imagine she’ll be too disappointed.

So, it’s all over for another year. As the sequins are put away and the lid goes back on the fake tan, 11million of us will be left idly twiddling our thumbs every Saturday night between now and next September.

Questionable: Tess Daly, pictured right with winners Harry and Aliona centre, and co-host Bruce Forsyth left, was the subject of much discussion with regards to her fashion choices

Brucie McFlies into a panic: Stage invasion by winner's band stuns veteran host

at 3:48 AM

Brucie McFlies into a panic: Stage invasion by winner's band stuns veteran host

By Ben Todd and Louise Eccles

Last updated at 11:53 PM on 18th December 2011

It was one part of Strictly which had definitely not been choreographed – to the consternation of veteran host Sir Bruce Forsyth.

As boy-band drummer Harry Judd was crowned King of the Ballroom, his three bandmates from McFly invaded the stage to share his celebrations.

They leapt on top of him, leaving his dance partner Aliona Vilani standing alone and Sir Bruce in a panic.

As Harry and Aliona celebrate, members of McFly race on to the stage at Blackpool's Tower Ballroom

Singer-guitarist Danny Jones leaps into his drummer's arms as Aliona looks on in disbelief

Not realising they were friends of Judd, the 83-year-old host mistook them for troublemakers and shouted: ‘Get off the stage! Get off the stage! Get off! Get off!’ before trying to shoo them back to their seats.

To make matters worse, Judd’s father Christopher then appeared on stage at the Tower Ballroom in Blackpool.

A clearly irritated Sir Bruce said to Judd: ‘Is that your father? Is that your dad?,’ before also telling him to: ‘Get off! Get off!’ and waving him back to his seat.

Judd’s bandmates were unrepentant about their behaviour.

Tom Fletcher said: ‘I think Brucie thought we were streakers. We wanted to streak but I don’t think the BBC would be too happy about that.’

And Dougie Poynter – who this month triumphed in ITV’s I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! – tweeted: ‘Ha ha! Baited Bruce!’ Some fans of the show also took to Twitter and claimed Sir Bruce’s attempt to remove McFly from the stage was ‘the best television moment of 2011’ and ‘TV gold’.

'Get off the stage! Get off! Get off! A flustered Sir Bruce gives the band their marching orders

Dougie Poynter, left, and Jones flee the Forsyth wrath. Poynter later Tweeted: Ha ha! Baited Bruce!'

Judd, who turns 26 on Friday, had been the odds-on favourite to win the show. He said afterwards: ‘First the boys came on and then my dad glided on to the stage too. I was like, “Dad, what are you doing?” ’

While some critical viewers questioned how much longer Sir Bruce could continue with his arduous Strictly schedule, BBC sources said he would ‘carry on for as long as he could’ and ‘would not even contemplate retiring’ while he was in good health. A source close to Sir Bruce said he was more than likely to return for the next series of the show.

Another added: ‘Sir Bruce is Strictly.’

Judd also had kind words for the perennial presenter, who had said the drummer was so good he could be a professional dancer. ‘I’m not sure if that is entirely true but it is kind of Bruce to say,’ he said. ‘It has been an absolute honour to be on the same show as Bruce and, thankfully, I got to say that to him.’

Backstage whispers

Jason Donovan shunned the after-show party and went straight home. He was believed to be devastated at not winning and was seen picking up his bags from his hotel shortly after the show finished. Sir Bruce Forsyth also failed to turn up.

Judge Alesha Dixon was unimpressed by the event at a bar in Blackpool’s Pleasure Beach theme park. Wearing a thigh-skimming green dress and towering nude heels, she left at 1.30am. She said: ‘I will be honest with you. It’s all right in there, but it’s not the best.’

An exhausted dancer complained that organisers wanted to double the number of shows in the Strictly live tour. ‘But we said no,’ she told a friend.

Judge Bruno Tonioli is dreaming of an exotic holiday. He was overheard telling friends: ‘All I want to do is read books and swim naked.’

Judd, 25, beat Waterloo Road star Chelsee Healey – partnered by Pasha Kovalev – and Jason Donovan with professional dancer Kristina Rihanoff in the showcase final, which drew a peak audience of more than 13million.
Afterwards, Judd said he almost did not do the show and had to be persuaded to take part by his girlfriend, violinist Izzy Johnston.

‘Originally, as soon as my manager said you’ve been asked to do Strictly Come Dancing I was like, “No-no-no”,’ he said.

‘But my girlfriend and family said, “What a great opportunity. You’ll be taught to dance”.’

Despite producing four faultless routines when it mattered, Judd admitted that the dress rehearsal for the final was ‘disastrous’. He said: ‘In the dress run of the American smooth, the lift at the end went wrong and I almost dropped [Aliona].

‘Then, in the Argentine tango, I tripped her up and we had to miss a whole section. Everyone was reassuring us, “Don’t worry – bad dress run, good show”.’

The drummer – a former pupil of Uppingham public school in Rutland – won a loyal legion of fans during the series with his topless performances. However, he admitted he found some of the revealing outfits he was made to wear each week embarrassing.

He said: ‘If I was watching myself, I would be like, “Mate, put it away”. I said I wasn’t going to do any more topless dancing after Wembley. I just thought it was so embarrassing when James and Brendan ripped my top off. Enough is enough.’

At the after-show party in a Blackpool bar, Judd stuck to bottled water. He said: ‘I don’t really drink. I stopped drinking last year and that has been a good thing for me. On Strictly I’ve had no hangovers and I’ve been able to focus.’

At Christmas, he said, he would ‘hide and chill for a bit’ and spend time with ‘my mum, dad and granny’.

Harry did it to help the band

By Dan Wootton

Anyone predicting that he will use his Strictly success to seek stardom in his own right just doesn’t know my old friend Harry Judd.

A few days before Saturday’s glittering final, in his typically modest manner, he told me: ‘I honestly can’t wait to get back behind my drums and let my bandmates take the lead for a while.’

In fact, the reason Harry originally decided to compete in Strictly was to bring fresh attention to McFly, who are attempting to make the difficult transition into an adult act as their fans grow up with them.

Just the start: Harry Judd, pictured with dance partner Aliona Vilani, will be hoping his triumph can help his band McFly secure more success

After Harry’s triumph and bandmate Dougie Poynter’s surprise win on ITV1’s I’m A Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here! earlier in the month, McFly’s management are urging the talented quartet to release new material in a quest for their first No 1 song in five years.

Harry, who now shuns boozy nights out on the town in preference for nights on the sofa in his pyjamas at home with 27-year-old girlfriend Izzy Johnston, has made it clear to me that he now intends to make a life-long commitment to the woman he describes as his ‘soulmate’.

She will have to put up with seeing her man in the arms of another woman for just a little bit longer, however, because the winning dance partners are the star attraction on the upcoming Strictly tour.

Read Dan Wootton’s Inside The Box column every week in It’s Friday