Rufus Hound wins Strictly Christmas special

Comedian Rufus Hound triumphed tonight in the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special - his second win in a BBC dance contest.

The funnyman and stage star beat the likes of DJ Sara Cox and Saturdays singer Rochelle Hulmes to lift this year's trophy for his tango with partner Flavia Cacace.

Rufus previously won the BBC1 series Let's Dance For Sport Relief in 2010.

Flavia was the partner of Louis Smith when he was the victor in last year's Strictly series, but she did not take part in the 2013 series, which ended on Saturday.

Elaine Paige topped the voting with the judging panel in the one-off festive Strictly show for her cha cha cha with Pasha Kovalev to Jingle Bells.

But when it went to the audience vote, Rufus stepped out in front for his performance to Never Do A Tango With An Eskimo.

He and Flavia drew 38 from the judges while Elaine and Pasha took a near-perfect 39.

Surprised winner Rufus said: "It's surreal in the extreme. We didn't really set out to win, the fact that it's happened I don't know what it means. I think if I had more of a taste for the ballroom, they'd be serving it in a burger!"

And he told his dance partner: "You came into this as the reigning champion so you were putting a lot on the line to dance with me, and have been spectacular all the way through."

Also taking part were former Bros frontman Matt Goss and EastEnders' Ricky Norwood.

 

Patrick McLennan

Patrick McLennan is a London-based journalist and documentary maker who has worked as a writer, sub-editor, digital editor and TV producer in the UK and New Zealand. His CV includes spells as a news producer at the BBC and TVNZ, as well as web editor for Time Inc UK. He has produced TV news and entertainment features on personalities as diverse as Nick Cave, Tom Hardy, Clive James, Jodie Marsh and Kevin Bacon and he co-produced and directed The Ponds, which has screened in UK cinemas, BBC Four and is currently available on Netflix. 

An entertainment writer with a diverse taste in TV and film, he lists Seinfeld, The Sopranos, The Chase, The Thick of It and Detectorists among his favourite shows, but steers well clear of most sci-fi.