Claudia Winkleman had the Strictly studio on their feet during Saturday’s final after she broke some historic news to long-serving judge Craig Revel Horwood.
The surprise announcement came just moments into the finale following JB Gill and Lauren Oakley’s opening number.
The duo kicked off the night with a Viennese Waltz, a routine they’d previously dazzled with earlier in the series.
And soon after they opened the Strictly 2024 finale, it became clear they’d manage to wow the judging panel and BBC viewers once more.
“I’m not happy…” Revel Horwood teased after Gill and Oakley finished. “I couldn’t find anything wrong with it!”
Raucous applause broke out in the studio before Revel Horwood signed off: “Grace, elegance, quality…”
BBC Strictly: Craig Revel Horwood jumped from his seat
BBC
Motsi Mabuse then applauded the duo for “elevating everything you’ve done before” and praised: “That is how you start the final of Strictly Come Dancing.”
Shirley then chipped in: “You made me throw away my technique hat and made me put on my ‘I’m going to enjoy my evening’ hat.”
Claudia Winkleman soon welcomed Gill and Oakley to listen to the judges’ scores and she too was blown away: “Those comments, I mean JB, you just opened the Strictly final!”
“I’m speechless,” Gill replied. “Honestly it’s such an honour, especially with the finalists you’re gonna see tonight… it’s a real honour to open this show and to start with that dance.
BBC Strictly: Claudia Winkleman halted proceedings on Saturday night
BBC
“I’ve just loved it from start to finish and that for me was a great way to start.”
Before long, Revel Horwood, Mabuse, Ballas and Du Beke all lifted their 10 paddle and it was revealed Gill and Oakley had bagged a perfect score.
As Gill and Oakley celebrated with their co-stars, Winkleman had something else on her mind.
“Hold up, I’m gonna need some quiet,” she instructed. “And this is weird but we’ve been waiting years for this…
“I’m gonna need Craig up here. Craig, can you come on up?” she added as Revel Horwood got to his feet.
She encouraged: “Come on, Craig. Hold on, so it has taken 20 years, it’s taken 22 series. Guess what’s just happened?”
BBC Strictly: Claudia Winkleman and Craig Revel Horwood
BBC
A bemused Revel Horwood admitted he had “no clue” why he’d been pulled away from his seat.
Winkleman revealed all as she informed him: “You have just given your 100th 10!”
Revel Horwood burst into laughter as the audience applauded and cheered before Winkleman ushered him back to his seat.
“You can go back, thank you, everyone. We’re so proud of you Craig,” she joked. “It took Anton about six weeks to do that.”
