Jump directly to the content

STRICTLY Come Dancing has been a primetime staple of British television for two decades.

The hit BBC One series, which launched in 2004, has seen a multitude of celebs have a crack at ballroom dancing alongside pro partners — but which Strictly contestants have waltzed their way to victory?

 The prized Glitterball trophy has been won by 21 celebrities so far
21
The prized Glitterball trophy has been won by 21 celebrities so farCredit: PA:Press Association

Who has won Strictly Come Dancing?

2023 - Ellie Leach

 Ellie became the youngest celebrity to be crowned champion
21
Ellie became the youngest celebrity to be crowned championCredit: PA:Press Association

Series 21 saw ex-Corrie actress Ellie Leach and her partner Vito Coppola crowned champions. 

22-year-old Ellie became the youngest celebrity contestant to win the show, a record previously held by gymnast Louis Smith who won aged 23. 

The partnership beat fellow celebrities Bobby Brazier and Layton Williams with a paso doble, a showdance and an American smooth, with the latter receiving a perfect score of 40 from the judges.

2022 - Hamza Yassin

 Hamza was Jowita's first celebrity dance partner
21
Hamza was Jowita's first celebrity dance partnerCredit: PA:Press Association

TV presenter Hamza Yassin, along with his professional partner Jowita Przystal, lifted the 2022 trophy.

It was Jowita’s first time competing in the show, and although the pair finished bottom of the leaderboard in the final, their performances impressed viewers enough for them to win through the public vote. 

Following their triumph, Hamza said "Words can't describe how I feel. I want to thank one person in particular Jowita, you are an angel disguised as a human being. That's what you are, you're amazing”.

2021 - Rose Ayling-Ellis

 Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice hold the famous Glitterball trophy after being crowned Strictly 2021 champions
21
Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice hold the famous Glitterball trophy after being crowned Strictly 2021 championsCredit: PA

Rose Ayling-Ellis and her dance partner Giovanni Pernice were victorious.

They went head-to-head with John Whaite and Johannes Radebe.

Rose's win meant she became the first ever deaf person to win on the show, with the pair scoring two perfect scores during the final.

Speaking after their win, Giovanni praised the "incredible" woman who made all his "dreams come true", dubbing her herself a "dream".

2020 - Bill Bailey

 Oti Mubuse won two years in a row when she scooped the trophy with Bill Bailey
21
Oti Mubuse won two years in a row when she scooped the trophy with Bill BaileyCredit: PA: Press Association

Bill Bailey and Oti Mabuse were crowned winners of Strictly Come Dancing 2020.

After performances from HRVY, Maisie Smith and Jamie Laing, entertainer Bill became the oldest contestant to ever take home the Glitterball trophy.

Announcing the result as the spectacular nine-week series came to an end, host Tess Daly said: "The moment we've all been waiting for... the Strictly champions of 2020 are Bill and Oti."

Champion Bill said: "It feels surreal, extraordinary and wonderful.

"I never thought we would get this far. I never thought we'd get to the final.

"I've had the most extraordinary teacher and the most extraordinary dancer.

"Someone who has believed in me right from the beginning. She found something in me and turned me into this into a dancer. Thank you Oti."

2019 - Kelvin Fletcher

 Kelvin and Oti pose with the trophy after becoming 2019 Strictly champions
21
Kelvin and Oti pose with the trophy after becoming 2019 Strictly championsCredit: BBC/GuyLevy

Kelvin Fletcher and dance partner Oti Mabuse were crowned Strictly Come Dancing 2019 champions.

The former Emmerdale star, who used to play Andy Sugden in the ITV soap, was initially not part of the BBC dance contest lineup. But after replacing Made In Chelsea star Jamie Laing, he took the judges’ and fans’ breath away with his rendition of the samba in week one.

Bruno Tonioli even went as far as to describe the performance as the greatest debut dance he had ever seen on Strictly.

2018 - Stacey Dooley

 Stacey and Kevin pose proudly with the Strictly Come Dancing Glitterball trophy
21
Stacey and Kevin pose proudly with the Strictly Come Dancing Glitterball trophyCredit: BBC

Like Joe McFadden the year before, Stacey Dooley was regularly outscored by some of her fellow celebrities, attaining the highest score from the judges in just one week.

However, her chemistry with Kevin Clifton — which would later see them become a couple — was undeniable and fans took to the energy they showcased every performance.

The journalist’s renditions of the foxtrot and paso doble in the final were enough to see her crowned the winner of Strictly.

2017 - Joe McFadden

 Joe and Katya couldn't quite believe that they won Strictly Come Dancing
21
Joe and Katya couldn't quite believe that they won Strictly Come DancingCredit: BBC

Joe McFadden emerged as a shock winner of the show's fifteenth series.

Partnered with Katya Jones, the two stormed to victory as they defeated X-Factor winner Alexandra Burke, radio presenter Debbie McGee and former Emmerdale actor Gemma Atkinson.

Despite recording the highest score in just one week throughout the series, Joe's enthusiasm and hard work propelled him to the final where he won the hearts and minds of fans to lift the trophy.

2016 - Ore Oduba

 Ore Oduba impressed with his fancy footwork on the dancefloor
21
Ore Oduba impressed with his fancy footwork on the dancefloorCredit: PA:Press Association

Partnered with Joanne Clifton, sports presenter Ore Oduba lifted the trophy after beating Louise Redknapp and Danny Mac.

The victory was made even more sweet for Joanne after she went head-to-head with her brother, Kevin, in the final.

The pair finished their winning streak with two perfect scores, and won over the audience with their upbeat dances to songs which included an American smooth to Singin' In the Rain and a jive to Runaway Baby.

2015 - Jay McGuiness

 Jay McGuinness and Aliona Vilani raised the trophy in 2015
21
Jay McGuinness and Aliona Vilani raised the trophy in 2015Credit: PA:Press Association

Jay McGuiness, who found fame in boyband The Wanted, wowed audiences almost immediately with his fancy footwork.

In fact, audiences were outraged during movie week three weeks in when his now iconic jive to Pulp Fiction's Misourlou only got him 37 points, as judges said it was "too early" for a perfect 40.

Together with partner Aliona Vilani, he beat actresses Georgia May Foote and Kellie Bright to bag the trophy.

The series was Aliona's last, and she left the show on a high after finishing in top spot.

2014 - Caroline Flack

 The late Caroline Flack scooped the coveted Glitterball
The late Caroline Flack scooped the coveted GlitterballCredit: Handout

The late Caroline Flack, alongside long-running regular Pasha Kovalev, took home the trophy in the show's 2014 series.

She faced pop stars Frankie Bridge and Simon Webbe in the final and emerged victorious.

After earning the first perfect score of the whole series in the semi-finals, the pair landed three perfect 40s in the final with their performances including a showstopper to Angels by Robbie Williams.

Their charleston to 50s comedy hit Istanbul (Not Constantinople) cemented their win, and they grabbed the glitterball.

2013 - Abbey Clancy

 Abbey Clancy bagged the top spot after wowing with her skills
21
Abbey Clancy bagged the top spot after wowing with her skillsCredit: BBC

Model Abbey Clancy showed off her killer moves on the 2013 series.

She was paired up with Aljaz Skorjanec for the show, and in the final beat Natalie Gumede and Susanna Reid.

This was the first year of a streak of final appearances for professional Kevin Clifton.

2012 - Louis Smith

 Louis and Flavia beamed as they won the trophy
21
Louis and Flavia beamed as they won the trophyCredit: BBC

Gymnast Louis Smith and partner Flavia Cacace stormed to victory over Kimberley Walsh and Denise Van Outen.

Despite Denise getting the top score for nine of the twelve weeks, Louis won the public over and raised the trophy.

They scored a perfect 40 for their final showdance, Rule The World by Take That.

2011 - Harry Judd

 Harry Judd swapped the drums for the dancefloor
Harry Judd swapped the drums for the dancefloorCredit: PA:Press Association

McFly star Harry Judd faced tough competition from Chelsee Healey and Jason Donovan with the trio nearly always sitting top of the table above their competitors.

However, thanks to an American smooth and an Argentine tango in the final, he took home the glitterball trophy.

He was partnered with Aliona Vilani for the length of the competition.

2010 - Kara Tointon

 Kara and Artem were a couple by the end of their time on the show
21
Kara and Artem were a couple by the end of their time on the showCredit: PA:Press Association

Ex-EastEnders star tried her hand at dancing in the 2010 series.

Partnered with Artem Chigvintsev (who she later had a relationship with), the pair became unstoppable on the dancefloor.

She beat Matt Baker and Pamela Stephenson in the final with an American smooth to Justin Timberlake's Cry Me a River and a waltz to If You Don't Know Me By Now.

2009 - Chris Hollins

 Chris Hollins and Ola Jordan won the contest in 2009
21
Chris Hollins and Ola Jordan won the contest in 2009Credit: BBC

Chris Hollins beat soap hunk Ricky Whittle in the final to be crowned champion in 2009.

Partnered with dance star Ola Jordan, who has since left the show, the pair formed a close bond during their time on the Strictly.

Despite Ricky being the top scorer and long-running favourite of the series, Chris won over the audience at home who called in to save him.

2008 - Tom Chambers

 Tom Chambers landed the win with partner Camilla Dallerup
21
Tom Chambers landed the win with partner Camilla DallerupCredit: BBC

Tom Chambers beat S Club 7 star Rachel Stevens in the final alongside professional dance partner Camilla Dallerup.

The Holby City actor was not the obvious favourite, but despite the scores given to him by the judges, he remained safe throughout.

He ended his run on the show by performing a foxtrot and a salsa both of which were the lowest scores against his competitors but he won regardless.

2007 - Alesha Dixon

 Alesha Dixon impressed so much that she became a judge
21
 Alesha Dixon impressed so much that she became a judgeCredit: BBC

Singer Alesha Dixon and professional dancer Matthew Cutler stormed to victory with a series of showstopping routines including a cha-cha to Crazy in Love.

They beat Matt DiAngelo and his partner Flavia Cacace in the final.

Following her win, she later returned to the series as a short-lived judge, before joining the panel at Britain's Got Talent.

2006 - Mark Ramprakash

 Mark and Karen became firm favourites throughout their time on the show
21
Mark and Karen became firm favourites throughout their time on the showCredit: BBC

With Karen Hardy showing him the ropes, cricketer Mark became the second of his sport to show surprising ability on the dancefloor.

They managed to land a perfect score with a samba in week nine, dancing to Peter Allen's I Go To Rio, as well as a samba in the final to Hot Hot Hot.

Matt Dawson and Emma Bunton were placed second and third respectively.

2005 - Darren Gough

 Darren Gough went from cricket to the cha-cha and became the third winner of the show
21
Darren Gough went from cricket to the cha-cha and became the third winner of the showCredit: PA:Press Association

Cricketer Darren Gough shook off his ‘tough guy’ image to win the Strictly trophy alongside Lilia Kopylova.

Starting the show with one of the lowest scores, Darren was never the top performer of the show's run.

In the final, the judges' scores put him in last place behind his competitors, but viewers thought differently.

Zoe Ball finished third, and Olympic hurdler Colin Jackson came second.

2004 - Jill Halfpenny

 Jill Halfpenny looked chuffed as she was crowned champion
21
Jill Halfpenny looked chuffed as she was crowned championCredit: PA:Press Association

Jill Halfpenny went down in Strictly history as the first ever contestant to win a perfect 40.

Facing tough competition from Julian Clary and Denise Lewis, Jill trounced the competition to win the glitterball.

She was partnered with professional Darren Bennett, who remained on the show until 2009.

2004 - Natasha Kaplinsky

 Natasha Kaplinsky was the first winner of Strictly alongside Brendan Cole
21
Natasha Kaplinsky was the first winner of Strictly alongside Brendan Cole

The first series of Strictly ran from May to July 2004, before being moved to its now regular autumn/winter spot.

Alongside Brendan Cole one of the only professionals to remain on the show throughout presenter Natasha Kaplinsky won the first top prize after beating seven other competitors.

Their highest-scoring dance was the samba, which earned them 37 points.

 Strictly judges Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel Horwood
21
Strictly judges Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel HorwoodCredit: BBC
Topics