Charlie Brooks wins Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special

[dutchman]

Charlie Brooks has won this year's Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special.



The EastEnders actress performed a jive with Strictly regular Vincent Simone and proved most popular with the BBC One show's studio audience when their totals were combined with the marks given out by the judges.

Head judge Len Goodman described Brooks's "terrific" dance as "sharp and tasty, like a pickled walnut with a bit of cheese for supper on Christmas night", while Alesha Dixon praised her "great energy, nice kicks and flicks", saying that the routine was "full of personality and pure, pure fun".

Bruno Tonioli said: "I tell you, that jive got everybody up from their sofa to celebrate! Happy Christmas," while Craig Revel Horwood - who opened the show dressed as The Grinch - said that the dance was "fab-u-lous!"

Brooks scored 37 out of 40 for her dance and joins previous Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special winners such as John Barrowman, Ali Bastian and Darren Gough.

Blue singer Simon Webbe performed a cha cha cha with Katya Virshilas, while former world featherweight boxing champion Barry McGuigan danced a quickstep with Erin Boag.

The Impressions Show star Debra Stephenson joined Ian Waite for an American smooth, and actress Su Pollard danced a foxtrot with Anton du Beke.

Shakin' Stevens also performed his classic Christmas track 'Merry Christmas Everyone' accompanied by a routine from Strictly season nine contestant Russell Grant and Flavia Cacace.