25th December, 06

A dazzling event with six couples contesting against each other for the most coveted Christmas Special trophy. The dancing was of the highest standard with the celebrities looking every bit as professional as the professionals themselves.

Ex Eastenders’, Louisa Lytton and Vincent Simone were the first to wow us with their fast moving, dynamic jive. Audience and judges were very enthusiastic about their performance which was better than before but surprisingly, only earned nines across the board. 36

Next, singer Emma Bouton and Darren Bennett performed a very impressive Samba. It is the best I have ever seen Emma dance as, for the first time; she became one with the music. Surprisingly no tens here either. 36 and tie with Louisa

TV Presenter Zoë Ball and Ian Waite blew us away with their Rumba, one of the toughest dances for which to earn a good score, introducing many surprising moves and lifts stirring the audience to gasps and enthusiastic applause. With their height on their side they made a regal but tantalising couple with all the tenderness and teasing that a rumba requires. Their lines were beautiful and they walked off with two tens and two nine. 38

Winner of Strictly Come Dancing 2006, Cricketer Mark Ramprakash and Karen Hardy dressed in black and white lit up the floor with Mark’s brilliant smile and a snappy, sexy and fully rhythmic Salsa with a few new twists and surprises. A very professional performance earning a standing ovation but again no tens from the judges in spite of their enthusiastic clapping. Once again thirty six, a tie with Louisa and Emma.

Olympic athlete, Colin and Erin in a very elegant silver and black dress brought the house down with their stunning Quickstep. Smooth, quick perfection every step of the way earning a well deserved full house of tens. 40.

Star Rugby player Matt Dawson and Lilia Kopylova gracefully glided across the floor in a romantic waltz to Silent Night giving us a never to be forgotten, moving ending to six incredible dancers. The competition was of a very high standard and a privilege to enjoy. They received three nines and a ten. 37 and third place to Colin and Erin and Zoë and Ian on the Judges Leader Board.

After the audience’s votes had been added to the judges votes the losing couples were announced in no particular order leaving Zoë and Ian and Colin and Erin. After a few tense moments Colin and Erin were named the 2006 Christmas Special Champions

Judges comments on the dancers

You danced like champagne corks popping, it was like opening all your presents on Christmas day, a little Christmas cracker, like red wine it gets better with age, you were a hot brandy sauce, absolutely amazing, bubbling and sparkling, great kicks, elegantly on wings, fizz into physical and a thousand kisses under the mistletoe, a romantic symphony and phenomenal.

Well done contestants and congratulations to Colin and Erin

This article was written by Evelyn Lewis. Thanks Evelyn.