Strictly '22 #18 — Who's going to lift the glitterball? We don't know, but it will happen in this thread!

[PolkadotsAndMoonbeams]

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We're moving so fast I'm setting this one up to be ready!

I think Gorka was disappointed, I don't think he 'threw a strop.' He's been on the show for seven years: for one of those years he was benched; the two times he reached the final before he was partnered with someone who was good but unpopular with the public; now that he lives with his family in the north he gets partnered with a north-based female celebrity, regardless of whether that partnership will work or if it's his turn to be due a contender. He knew that he might never get a shot at winning like Helen again: northern and a good match for him and a good dancer and well-known and popular with the public. He looked a bit disappointed, he didn't throw a tantrum.

I sometimes think the pros and celebs on Strictly can't win however they behave. They're accused of being false or scripted if they are constantly cheery, but if they show anything other than constant positivity (such as when Will seemed upset at getting bad feedback) they are accused of being up themselves or entitled. It's important that Strictly is a feelgood show and the celebs keep everything in perspective, but I actually miss the early years when everything was a bit more honest: squabbles in the training room; pros like Erin and Brendan showing what they really thought of the judges' feedback; Jan Ravens.

Always thought Chris Packham was the heir apparent to David Attenborough.

I know! I really wanted Craig to give her one. What would it have hurt? It wouldn't have affected the voting, and it would have made her feel special. But I guess he doesn't just want to throw them around ...

The class of 2022 danced better then they ever did in the live shows ! I guess the pressure was off.

He would be fantastic as the next David Attenborough. Much more likely to spark the interest of younger generations than Chris Packham.

I think he is a worthy winner. They didn't all start in the same place and he has improved the most. He was competing against women with dancing experience and dancers bodies. He's done amazingly well. I can't feel disappointed when I watch how much joy winning has brought such a lovely man. Look at that face 😊

Helen was someone I, admittedly irrationally, didn't like before Strictly. (I have this reaction to a lot of the people on television. Sometimes it's understandable, like Anne Robinson and Simon Cowell, but sometimes I just can't explain it, like Stephen Sackur and Dan Snow. If Tim Lovejoy and Kate Bottley both did Strictly in the same year, it might be the end of Strictly and me.). However, she grew on me during the series and I enjoyed a lot of her routines. Although she never explicitly mentioned her private life herself, I felt it was alluded to quite a lot during the series with constant references to her confidence and self-belief and finding her strength. Not only did I find that storyline a bit wearing, it was odd because, if anything, Helen seems like a really strong, confident, together woman who enjoys taking on really tough professional challenges. I actually think the producers harping on that particular script didn't do her any favours. She didn't need it.

@EsmaCannonball same

Oh dear, when I was at school Chris Packham was the young, exciting wildlife guy. Him and Michaela Strachan (who has inexplicably auditioned for Strictly and been rejected by the producers twice, despite having dance-training and potential as a mature woman contender).

I don't know if this entire post was meant to be one giant double entendre, but it really put a smile on my face. Every sentence is perfect.

Fnar. Fnar.

Anyone else notice that little episode between Graziano and Joe Varney right at the end? Looked like Graziano was remonstrating with him?

It came right after the end of the clip someone just posted, during the credits.

@TellingBone yes I saw what looked like a slight Barney but couldn't see who it was !

😂😂😂😂

That's too funny - definitely not intended but I'm intrigued now by my brain (and yours lol)

(Molly isn't really Craig's type 😎)

Lol

That's why I always love that dance number ... everyone looks so relaxed and happy to be there.

I feel that

I thought his kilt dance last week was more memorable

I'll always remember Helen's Mein Heir and Gorka being on the floor etc

This probably was Gorka’s best shot to win as he didn’t have very popular partners in previous finals. I think he deserved the win and will be disappointed they put so much into it the pro’s ...this was Jowita’s first year as a main pro. Would be interesting to see what the figures were. Did they not use to vote off the 4th and 3rd place and it was then down to 2 left ? Based just on last nights dances the 3 females all danced better than Hamza

I don't disagree @ilovebrie8 but Hamza genuinely brought me more enjoyment and pleasure watching him dance with Jowita than the other 3 combined.

Although would it really have hurt to let Ellie dance in in a sparkly dress?!

I thought that too @PolkadotsAndMoonbeams - she really didn't get much sparkle at all through her strictly time!

Hope Gorka is having a better day today.

I didn’t think he looked cross - just crushingly disappointed. And it is ok to be that when you’ve worked your little Fosse tache off.

He has Gemma and Mia and he is a good egg from what I can see. As well as looking hot as

He’s already winning.

Gaun yersel Gorka. You are the pug’s lugs 😊

Who wouldn't look crushed and disappointed having come so far! I know I wouldn't be able to hide my feelings poor Gorka.

Yes to everything here - I've just watched on carchup as I couldn't last night - and I loveHamza but think he should not have won. As Len (and all of the other judges at one tome) used to emphasise, ultimately this is a DANCING contest, NOT a POPULARITY contest.

(And by God, if Kate Bottley is ever on here, by all that is holy, I WILL DESTROY THE BBC!!!!! I know people in her parish and apparently she is . . . not a pleasant woman.``0

I think far too many people played the tiny violins for Helen too. I don’t think she played much on them at all 🎻

I was another who switched ower whenever she was on anything. I’m not out there with the cheerleading poms yet but I did really warm to her on this.

Well Vito and Carlos had got as far and they were both beaming for Hamza. Gorka just looked furious.

Yes I know he has been in 2 previous finals but Kevin was in, I believe, 4 before he won and he didn't look such a misery.

As I said before, I don't know why Gorka would be surprised when Hamza had been favourite to win for weeks.

We always told to vote for our "favourite" not the "best dancer" and, for me, Hamza was for and away my favourite. I loved watching him dance, I loved seeing his pure joy at dancing and I appreciated him not giving us a sob story. Most of the others gave a sob story and some (Fleur) just didn't shut up about it