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Season 22 of Strictly Come Dancing aired its finale on Saturday, December 14, 2024. The finalists returned to the ballroom to compete for the coveted Glitterball Trophy one last time. After a series of performances, Chris McCausland and his partner, Dianne Buswell, emerged victorious, defeating Tasha Ghouri, Sarah Hadland, and JB Gill.
Although the pairs received advisory scores from the judges, the viewers made the final decision with their votes.
Chris and Dianne mesmerized the mentors and the public with their final performances, which included a waltz routine to You'll Never Walk Alone by Gerry and the Pacemakers, a couple's choice dance to John Lennon's Instant Karma, and a Showdance to You Get What You Give by New Radicals. The pair scored an overall 116 in the grand finale.
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Chris became the first blind contestant to win the dance competition series. While many Strictly Come Dancing fans applauded Chris' victory, others praised his dance partner, Dianne, for her choreographies. They took to X to celebrate the couple's feat.
"Such deserving winners - what Chris achieved is nothing short of incredible and what Dianne has done in teaching Chris to dance is beyond amazing - what a pair! Winning might just be everything," a fan wrote.
"So happy Chris and Dianne won!! Absolutely well deserved! I’m in tears! congratulations @chrismccausland @dbuzz6589," another fan commented.
"Beyond pleased for Chris and Dianne Chris was amazing throughout and Dianne deserved it so much for adapting her teaching style to work for him. She finally got her win!!!!" a netizen tweeted.
Strictly Come Dancing fans were pleased to see Chris and Dianne lift the Glitterball Trophy. Many claimed the couple deserved the victory.
"YESSSSSS Chris and Dianne....HUUUUUUGE congratulations. Without a doubt the most deserving winner over the past 20 years. So, so happy they won," a user reacted.
"Chris and Diane deserved the win and Diane deserves an award of her own for what she's achieved this season," a person commented.
"Congratulations to Chris & Diane!! I knew he’d win from the start, his sheer determination to dance & not let anything hold him back is a stark reminder to able bodied people to never dismiss people with disabilities," another fan commented.
"He’s done it Chris McCausland has WON strictly come dancing well done Chris and Dianne," one user posted.
Other Strictly Come Dancing fans defended the winners from those who claimed their win was a "sympathy vote."
"Well done Chris and Diane, worthy winners. Anyone who says it was a sympathy vote, go f**k yourselves!!" a person reacted.
"So happy for Chris and Diane. For the people saying he didn’t deserve to win, stay mad because he went and did it. Would love to see those people get up and do what him and Diane did!!" another netizen commented.
"You're a light that shines for all to see" — Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood praises Chris in the grand finale
Chris made history by becoming the first blind winner of Strictly Come Dancing. The 47-year-old comedian broke down as soon as his name was announced. He confessed it was "astonishing" that he won because he assumed he would get eliminated in the initial weeks of competitive reality show.
Chris credited the victory to his partner and mentor, Dianne, thanking her for believing in him and his abilities.
"She's one of the easiest people to be funny with. This is for her and everyone who got told they could not do anything. It shows anything can happen, you know?" Chris said.
The couple's final dance, the waltz routine to You'll Never Walk Alone moved everyone inside the ballroom to tears, including the judges. The audience was on their feet applauding the pair's performance.
Motsi Mabuse praised Chris for being a "role model" to everyone, commending him for proving anything could be achieved if one fought for it. She added that his performance was not dancing but "inspiration."
Shirley Ballas echoed Motsi's sentiments, complimenting Chris' stage presence and ability to captivate the audience. The Strictly Come Dancing judge praised Dianne for being a "very special teacher" throughout the season.
Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood were equally complimentary. An emotional Anton believed Chris would continue to change people's lives and commended him for being an "exceptional man." The pair's performance touched Craig, who even wrote a poem for them.
"You've taught the world anything can be done. You're a light that shines for all to see," Craig said.
As he got emotional, he walked over to Chris and hugged him. He congratulated the contestant on his journey throughout the season.
Episodes of Strictly Come Dancing can be streamed on BBC iPlayer.
