Strictly Come Dancing Winners: Who’s won Strictly?
With the final of Strictly series 16 looming towards us, we look back at all the celeb and pro partnerships that have lifted the famous Glitter Ball trophy over the years.
Cast your mind back to 2004 when Strictly first hit our screens and you’ll remember a slightly younger and different panel of judges. The line up included Head Judge, Len Goodman, with his proclivity for pickling his walnuts, Arlene Phillips with her vast knowledge of choreography, Craig Revel Horwood with his newly sharpened tongue, and Bruno Tolioni with his predilection for falling off chairs ‘Ab Fab’ style. No change there then. But amongst the mayhem, hosts Sir Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly endeavoured to keep proceedings running smoothly.
Fast forward to 2009 and series 5 winner, Alesha Dixon, replaced Arlene Phillips on the judging panel only to make room for former guest judge, Darcey Bussell, in 2012. Tess Daly filled the very large shoes of Sir Bruce Forsyth in 2014 and former ‘It Takes Two’ presenter, Claudia Winkleman, became her partner in comedy. Len Goodman bowed out after series 14 in 2016 and Shirley Ballas slipped into his seat as Head Judge in 2017.
Strictly Come Dancing past winners
If you’re an avid Strictly fan you will probably be able to recite this list in your sleep, but for the rest of us, here’s a quick recap.
Series 1 – July 2004
Winners: BBC newsreader, Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole
Most memorable dance: Samba to ‘Love Is In The Air’ in week 5 scoring a perfect 10 from judge Arlene Phillips
Runners up: Actor, Christopher Parker and opera singer, Lesley Garrett
Series 2 – Dec 2004
Winners: Actress, Jill Halfpenny and Darren Bennett
Most memorable dance: Jive to ‘I’m Still Standing’ in week 3 scoring 35 points and a perfect 40 in the final
Runners up: Comedian and writer, Julian Clary and sportswoman, Denise Lewis
Series 3 – 2005
Winners: England cricketer, Darren Gogh and Lilia Kopylova
Most memorable dance: Foxtrot to ‘Big Spender’ in the final earning their first 10 from Head Judge Len Goodman
Runners up: ‘It Takes Two’ presenter, Zoe Ball and sportsman, Colin Jackson
Series 4 – 2006
Winners: England cricketer, Mark Ramprakash and Karen Hardy
Most memorable dance: The infamous Salsa to ‘Hot, Hot, Hot’ in week 5 where their microphones became entangled and they were allowed to have another go. The dance later earned them a perfect 40 in the final
Runners up: England rugby player, Matt Dawson and Spice Girl, Emma Bunton
Series 5 – 2007
Winners: Singer, Alesha Dixon and Matthew Cutler
Most memorable dance: Cha Cha Cha to ‘Crazy In Love’ in week 8 scoring an impressive 39 points
Runners up: Actor, Matt Di Angelo and TV presenter, Gethin Jones
Series 6 – 2008
Winners: Actor, Tom Chambers and Camilla Dallerup
Most memorable dance: Foxtrot to ‘Here You Come Again’ scoring 39 points
Runners up: Singer, Rachel Stevens and TV and radio presenter, Lisa Snowdon
Series 7 – 2009
Winners: BBC Breakfast presenter, Chris Hollins and Ola Jordan
Most memorable dance: Charleston to ‘Fat Sam’s Grand Slam’
Runners up: Actor, Ricky Whittle and actress, Ali Bastian
Series 8 – 2010
Winners: Actress, Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev
Most memorable dance: Tango to ‘El Tango de Roxanne’ in week 10 scoring 38 points
Runners up: TV presenter, Matt Baker and psychologist, Pamela Stephenson
Series 9 – 2011
Winners: McFly’s Harry Judd and Aliona Vilani
Most memorable dance: Argentine Tango to ‘Asi se Baila el Tango’ scoring a perfect 40 in the final
Runners up: Actress, Chelsee Healey and actor and singer, Jason Donovan
Series 10 -2012
Winners: Olympian, Louis Smith and Flavia Cacace
Most memorable dance: Salsa to ‘I’ve Had The Time Of My Life’ in week 3 and in the final, scoring 39 points and nailing the iconic Dirty Dancing lift
Runners up: TV presenter, Denise Van Outen and Girls Aloud’s Kimberley Walsh
Series 11 – 2013
Winners: Model, Abbey Clancy and Aljaž Skorjanec
Most memorable dance: Samba to ‘Faith’ in week 12 scoring 39 points
Runners up: Actress, Natalie Gumede and journalist and TV presenter, Susanna Reid
Series 12 – 2014
Winners: TV presenter, Caroline Flack and Pasha Kovalev
Most memorable dance: Salsa to ‘Maria’ in week 12 scoring the first perfect 40 of the series. The couple also hold the record for the most top scores of 40 and were the first to receive a perfect score for all three of their dances in the final
Runners up: The Saturdays’ Frankie Bridge and Blue’s Simon Webbe
Series 13 – 2015
Winners: The Wanted’s Jay McGuiness and Aliona Vilani
Most memorable dance: Jive in week 3/Movie Week to ‘Misirlou’ scoring 37 points
Runners up: Actresses, Kellie Bright and Georgia May Foote
Series 14 – 2016
Winners: TV presenter, Ore Oduba and Joanne Clifton
Most memorable dance: American Smooth to ‘Singin’ In the Rain’ in week 3 and the final, scoring 39 points and the Jive to ‘Runaway Baby’ in week 4 and the final, scoring the perfect 40
Runners up: Actor, Danny Mac and Eternal’s Louise Redknapp
Series 15 – 2017
Winners: Joe McFadden and Katya Jones
Most memorable dance: Argentine Tango to ‘Human’ in week 12 scoring 35 points
Runners up: Singer, Alexandra Burke, performer, Debbie McGee and actress, Gemma Atkinson
Who will win Strictly 2018?
It’s probably too soon to call, but there are some great contenders for the title. Whilst you’re rooting for your favourites to win, why not book your places at one of our brilliant Weekend Breaks with the stars of Strictly in 2019?
Not only is the reigning champion of Strictly, Katya Jones, performing and teaching workshops at our Weekend Breaks, but we also have 2013 winner, Aljaž Skorjanec, too. And who knows, Strictly’s 2018 winner might also be amongst our fabulous line up which includes Giovanni Pernice, Karen Clifton, Oti Mabuse, Janette Manrara, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, Neil Jones, Ian Waite, Anton Du Beke and Erin Boag.
Can you really bear to miss out on meeting and learning to dance with these amazing pro dancers?
