Ali Bastian wins Christmas Strictly special

[dutchman]

Actress Ali Bastian has been crowned the Strictly Come Dancing 2009 Christmas Champion.


In the festive edition of the show, The Bill star was voted the winner over this year's champion Chris Hollins and runner-up Ricky Whittle.

Bastian and her dance partner Brian Fortuna scored a perfect 40 from the judges for their Viennese Waltz.

Former Strictly contestants Rachel Stevens, Austin Healey and Gethin Jones also competed for the trophy.

'Absolute classic'

Bastian's performance to The Eagles' Please Come Home For Christmas won over the audience who voted for their favourite to win.

"I can't believe it, thank you very much - this is fantastic," Bastian said after being named the winner.

The judges praised the dance, with Craig Revel Horwood calling it "stunning, gorgeous and an absolute classic".

Bruno Tonioli added: "That was an impeccable Viennese Waltz of supreme beauty. You're superb, you're a fantastic dancer, technique and artistry all there to be seen."

This year's series winners Hollins and Ola Jordan performed a foxtrot to Santa Baby while Whittle and Natalie Lowe performed a quickstep to Jingle Bells.

Healy danced a Paso Doble to Bohemian Rhapsody with his partner Erin Boag, while Gethin Jones and Flavia Cacace performed an American Smooth to Baby It's Cold Outside.

Rachel Stevens and Vincent Simone performed a rumba to Miss You Most (At Christmas Time).

Jones was originally partnered by Camilla Dallerup, who did not compete in this year's series after winning with actor Tom Chambers in 2008.

Rachel Stevens and Vincent Simone performed a rumba to Miss You Most (At Christmas Time).

Bastian and Fortuna originally finished in third place in the seventh series of the show.