From newsreaders to comedians: Strictly Come Dancing winners through the years
The BBC dancing show has seen famous faces from all walks of life take home the Glitterball trophy.
With Strictly Come Dancing’s latest winner to be announced this weekend, here are some of the most memorable Glitterball champions.
The BBC dancing show has seen famous faces from all walks of life take home the recognisable trophy, including comedian Bill Bailey, singer Alesha Dixon, and first-ever winner, newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky.
Ellie Leach
Last year’s winner, actor Ellie Leach, best known for playing Faye Windass in Coronation Street, was a favourite with viewers throughout the 22nd season, for which she was paired with professional dancer Vito Coppola.
She saved her most memorable performance for last, scoring a perfect 40 for an American smooth dance to Ain’t That A Kick In The Head by Robbie Williams.
Coppola tearfully described Leach, the show’s youngest winner, as a “diamond” after their win.
Bill Bailey
Comedian Bill Bailey won the Glitterball trophy in 2020 at the age of 55, making him the oldest winner in Strictly history.
He was paired with Oti Mabuse, who achieved a series first by winning two consecutive series having been crowned champion with Emmerdale actor Kelvin Fletcher in 2019.
Bailey, now 58, has since presented TV programmes that include BBC show Extraordinary Portraits and the Sky Arts series Bill Bailey’s Master Crafters: The Next Generation, which follows a group of young crafters specialising in pursuits that include silversmithing and woodcarving.
Natasha Kaplinsky
Newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky, partnered with professional Brendan Cole, became Strictly’s first winner in the summer of 2004.
She went on to co-present the first half of the second series in the same year with the late Sir Bruce Forsyth when regular presenter Tess Daly was on maternity leave, and later returned for the 2012 Christmas special and a 2018 Bafta tribute to Sir Bruce.
Kaplinsky is best known for presenting the news on the BBC, ITV and Channel 5, and in 2022 she became president of the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC).
Alesha Dixon
Singer Alesha Dixon won series five of Strictly Come Dancing in 2007, partnered with professional dancer Matthew Cutler.
Two years later she replaced Dame Arlene Phillips on the judges desk, where she remained until 2011.
She became a judge on Britain’s Got Talent the following year, where she is still judging, but at the time of her Strictly performance she was best known as a member of the girl group Mis-Teeq.
Caroline Flack
Partnered with Pasha Kovalev, TV presenter Caroline Flack scored three perfect 40s during her time on the 2014 edition of Strictly, including one for her Charleston in the live final.
The Enfield-born presenter died in February 2020 after taking her own life at her London home.
Flack achieved even greater fame after her appearance on the BBC show as the presenter of ITV reality series Love Island, which she fronted for five series.
Rose Ayling-Ellis
EastEnders star Rose Ayling-Ellis became the first deaf person to win Strictly Come Dancing in 2021.
She was partnered by Giovanni Pernice, and her time on the show was best remembered for a moving tribute to the deaf community where she included a silent segment in a routine.
Following her appearance on the show, the 28-year-old actress took part in a photoshoot with toy company Mattel, which released a Barbie doll with a hearing aid.
