Just how much have you enjoyed Strictly Come Dancing 2017? (Picture: BBC)
We don’t know about you but we’re missing Strictly Come Dancing 2017 already – and that’s before the final has even happened.
Because there’s no denying, as the dust prepares to settle on the ballroom for another year, that it’s been a vintage series of the show.
From the arrival of Shirley Ballas through to the ‘are they aren’t they?’ rumours over Mollie and AJ, through to Susan Calman’s sheer, unabashed joy at taking part, the memorable moments just kept on coming.
So before the Glitterball Trophy is handed over to its next lucky recipient, why don’t we remind ourselves of just a few of those highlights…?
1 Susan Calman crying when she was partnered with Kevin Clifton
Kevin was partnered with comedian Susan Calman (Picture: Levy/BBC/PA Wire)
Susan Calman’s sheer happiness at being a part of Strictly was so infectious that we just couldn’t get enough of her this series (and then got all upset when she was voted off) – but few moments were more heartwarming than the moment she was partnered with Kevin Clifton, and promptly burst into tears. ‘I’ve dreamt about being on the show for years, and I’ve always dreamt about dancing with Kevin. I’m so sorry but I feel like I’ve won the lottery!’ she exclaimed. Bless.
2 Alexandra Burke does THAT jive
We always thought Alexandra might be one to watch – and sure enough we were proved right in week four when she and Gorka Marquez pulled this spectacular jive out of the bag and promptly scored the first 10s of the series. That’s the third year running someone’s nailed a jive so early on – and gone on to make the final. Is it a sign, folks?
3 Craig pretends to be Bruno
When the ever-present Mr Tonioli took his first leave of absence in series history, Craig decided the best way to make up for it was to pretend to be the man himself – delivering a scarily accurate impersonation of Bruno as he critiqued Debbie McGee’s rumba. He even fell off his chair. Magic.
4 Davood Ghadami’s Charleston
The Charleston was as popular and entertaining as ever this year – but as far as we’re concerned it was Davood who reached peak Charleston as he and Nadiya Bychkova performed this joyful little number to the Lambeth Walk. It was like a sing-song round the Queen Vic piano with added dance moves.
5 Jonnie Peacock being inspirational
Strictly’s first ever Paralympian contestant might not have made it as far as the final – exiting the competition in Blackpool week – but we were still left gasping in admiration at everything he did on that dancefloor. However it was that jive – which he performed on a brand new blade – which had us cheering, with Last Leg presenter Adam Hills admitting he was ‘in tears’ at the routine.
6 Susan Calman’s quickstep
If there was a more joyous routine this series then we’d quite like to see it thank you very much.
7 The ‘are they or aren’t they?’ speculation over Mollie and AJ
Something to tell us, Mollie and AJ? (Picture: BBC)
They were just friends, then someone said they were snogging backstage, then they were just friends again, then they started making jokes on the actual show about them being in love. And now the series is at its end and we are still none the wiser. Just put us out of our misery already you two!
8 Joe and Katya’s bizarre Argentine Tango move
We are not worthy.
9 Ruth Langsford falling on top of Anton
The TV presenter could not have been better matched than she was with Strictly veteran Anton Du Beke – but one of their more unintentionally memorable moments came when their paso doble just didn’t end well, with Anton taking a tumble and Ruth falling on top of him in a heap. Cringe TV at its finest, but a move which became the stuff of Strictly legend so quickly that the entire cast re-enacted it when the couple were voted off the show.
10 Simon Rimmer making Shirley Ballas cry
The Sunday Brunch host might have made a relatively early exit from the contest but not before he’d brought new head judge Shirley Ballas to tears with this moving waltz set to You’ll Never Walk Alone – which even earned him a post-routine hug. ‘It’s a very very special piece of music you danced to today,’ she told the Liverpool native. ‘That piece of music means so much to so many people for different reasons.
11 Just the Reverend Richard Coles, really
From telling us that he’d found sequins on his dog in the rehearsal stages of the show, through to this memorable cha cha, we just loved the Reverend Richard’s efforts. Just imagine what might have been if you hadn’t voted him off so early.
12 The tribute to Sir Bruce Forsyth
Sir Bruce Forsyth passed away just a couple of weeks before the 2017 series kicked off – and of course the Strictly crew paid tribute in fitting, classy style, as contestants and dancers past and present shared their memories of him before the current pro dancers performed a beautiful routine in his honour. Not a dry eye in the house.
13 Debbie McGee’s 40-nabbing tango
Giovanni’s face might have fallen a little when he realised he was getting one of the older contestants in the competition this year – but we’re guessing that’s all forgotten now that Debbie’s not only in the final, but also nabbed the first perfect 40 of the series with this sizzling, faultless tango
14 That bit when Debbie dressed up as Ginger Spice
We can’t even. (Picture: BBC)
Speaking of Ms McGee, we don’t think we can ever unsee the moment in Blackpool when she went full Ginger Spice on us – Union Jack dress and everything.
15 Brendan Cole being told off by Shirley Ballas
Things got a bit heated between Brendan and Shirley Ballas (Picture: BBC)
In which the pro dancer – who made an early exit with Charlotte Hawkins this year – fell foul of Shirley Ballas after he defended their tango from her criticism, and was promptly told by Bruno to ‘be respectful’. I’m absolutely respectful but when we do a tango and there’s no rise and fall I’m not going to stand there and go “Shirley, I’ll do that”,’ he snapped. Ouch.
16 Gemma and Gorka setting tongues wagging
Are Gemma and Gorka more than just friends? (Picture: WENN/Rex Features)
Mollie and AJ weren’t the only ones sparking romance rumours this year – as Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez also set the cat among the pigeons with their, um, close friendship (even though they weren’t even dancing together) – but again refused to admit they are anything other than pals. ‘Fess up already guys.
The Strictly Come Dancing final kicks off on BBC One on Saturday night at 6.30pm.
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