The winner of Strictly Come Dancing has been revealed.
Tears, joy and 10s – each of the four finalists gave it their all in the dancing competition broadcast on BBC.
Cumbria was rooting for Helen Skelton – and her dance partner Gorka Marquez, who has become an adopted son of the county and was performing in his third final.
Although she didn’t lift the glitterball trophy – Hamza Yassin won the 2022 series – Helen said she felt like she had already won it by reaching the final.
She said: “If I could sum up Strictly, I would say it is joyous and life-affirming.”
In the show, which lasted for just over two-and-a-half hours, there were interviews with the contestants and their families.
Helen’s mum Janet said she and Richard were ‘full of pride and joy’.
All the contestants were full of praise for their professional dance partners and vice versa -there was a lot of emotion in the studio – all the way through the show, and Helen was effusive about Gorka.
Gorka said Helen lit up a room when she walked into it and she praised him as a teacher.
In the filmed segment before the show dance, Gorka said he was very proud of Helen. Helen said: “You have made me remember who I am and that’s the biggest and kindest thing anyone can do for anybody. You put faith in me when I didn’t have any.”
Presenter Claudia Winkleman asked all the competitors what their message to the voting public was.
Helen said: “We’re so grateful we got to have this adventure. Don’t make me cry again! We’ve had so many messages of support…and thank you for supporting us.”
The couples had to perform three dances – a judges’ choice, couple’s choice and a show dance.
The winner was chosen purely by public vote – and judges’ marks were for guidance only.
The judges’ choice was up first and Helen and Gorka performed their jive from week seven. The show dance was the second performance – and they chose Shine by Emeli Sande – and the final dance was their choice of Mein Herr from Cabaret.
Helen and Gorka were the last couple to perform each of their dances – so they closed the show with Mein Herr.
They said they chose it because they had had the most fun with it.
Motsi and Shirley gave it a standing ovation and her dad Richard was spotted on camera wiping away tears. Motsi then made everyone stand up to give Helen a round of applause before she gave her comments.
“What a dance! You closed the show, girl!” she said.
Shirley called Helen and Gorka were superstars and Anton added: “When you started, there wasn’t much of a performer in you. But you are a performer now.”
Craig said: “That is a dance that should win a final.”
The show dance saw Helen wear a sparkling silver dress.
Motsi said she picked the best song and could see the joy in it. Shirley said the song said to her ‘I have set myself free’ but said there were a couple of small errors.
Anton said it was a celebration. “I’m thrilled you’re able to do that dance because you are fabulous,” he added.
Craig said it was great, but it could have been smoother, but he loved the team dynamic.
Helen’s family is the audience and cheered loudly after the dance.
Helen and her dance partner Gorka Marquez danced a jive to Tightrope by Janelle Monáe for her judges’ choice, which they first performed in week seven – where Helen made a slight mistake.
The judges said Helen had flourished during the competition and grown in confidence.
Motsi visited the pair to let them know they would be dancing the jive. Helen said: “There’s a lot riding on this dance as it’s the one the judges picked.”
Shirley said she had improved and she was light on her feet and Anton said she had great style, while Craig said it was wonderful.
Helen said it was loads of fun – although she had fake tan on her hands, which she just realised when the pair were talking to Claudia.
