Strictly Come Dancing aired its annual Christmas special yesterday afternoon, with six former stars of the BBC show returning to try and win the Silver Star trophy. Having lost out on the top position back in 2017 and partnered with last year’s victor Kevin Clifton, 37, it was Debbie McGee’s, 61, time to take the crown. Although the festive instalment did bring in viewers, it seems another popular programme making its long awaited return stole the night.
There was a battle for the top position with the Christmas Day viewing figures as the hit dance show went head-to-head with the soaps and other festive specials.
Just a week after Kelvin Fletcher, 35, won the regular series, 5.5 million fans tuned in to watch Strictly in all its seasonal glory.
These were impressive ratings for the day however, they were overtaken by not one, but two other programmes in the fight for the top spot.
Standing at 11.6 million viewers, the Gavin and Stacey Christmas special trumped all its competitors as fans tuned in to see what had happened to the iconic characters 10 years after they were last on TV.
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The Queen’s speech also managed to trump Strictly, with 6.4 million viewers watching the Monarch give her annual address.
However, despite the viewing figures, Debbie was elated to win the festive title after just losing out on the top spot two years ago.
Partnered with Kevin, she performed a Quickstep routine dressed in skiing gear to the festive hit Jingle Bells.
After watching her comeback routine, the judges awarded the television personality top marks and combined with the votes from the studio audience, she got her hands on the accolade.
Speaking after her winning moment, Debbie told The Sun how her award was dedicated to the memory of her late husband, Paul Daniels.
Of her Silver Star trophy, the Christmas champion said: “It’s on my mantelpiece and it’s sitting next to Paul’s awards.
“He would love it that I’ve won. He would get more joy out of it than him winning.
“He always loved it when I did well,” she explained.
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Congratulations to Debbie McGee
Strictly Come Dancing viewer
Taking to Twitter, viewers praised the television personality for her deserved win two years after she almost took the crown.
One posted: “Amazing #Strictly Christmas Special to watch! Congratulations to Debbie McGee & her professional partner and 2018’s winner Kevin Clifton!”
Another added: “Wonderful @bbcstrictly Christmas Special and SO thrilled that @thedebbiemcgee and @keviclifton won!! She is FAB-U-LOUS!! Congratulations Debbie & Kevin #strictlychristmasspecial #Strictly.”
Whilst a third commented: “Worthy winners well done to Kevin and Debbie @keviclifton #strictly.”
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Viewing figures for this year’s final, which saw former Emmerdale star Kelvin and his professional partner Oti Mabuse, 29, revealed as victors, also took a knock.
An average of 11.3 million fans tuned in to witness the crowning moment, with a peak at 12.5 million during the two hour long show.
Although this sounds great, it was down from last year’s viewing total which saw Kevin get his first win with Stacey Dooley, 32.
11.7 million people on average were glue to their TV sets, with a peak of 12.7 million.
Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special is now available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
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