Strictly Come Dancing 2019 final: Karim Zeroual and Amy Dowden kick off the show as they score the FIRST 40 of the night with a showstopping quickstep
- The final sees Kelvin Fletcher, Karim Zeroual and Emma Barton battle it out for the Glitterball trophy
- Kelvin’s success in the show comes after he was drafted in at the last minute to replace Made In Chelsea star Jamie Laing, who was forced to drop out after suffering a foot injury in rehearsals
- Each of the final couples will perform three dances: A Judges Choice, the Showdance and their favourite dance of the series
- The series has been fraught with drama from the start, when James Cracknell hit back at claims he had to be ‘calmed down backstage’ after being the first celebrity to be eliminated
- Paralympic star Will Bayley was also forced to drop out of the show in Week 7 after suffering a knee injury which reportedly left him ‘screaming in agony’
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Strictly Come Dancing kicked off its 2019 final in spectacular fashion on Saturday night, as Karim Zeroual and Amy Dowden opened the show with the first perfect score of the night.
The pair joined Kelvin Fletcher and Oti Mabuse and Emma Barton and Anton Du Beke for the grand finale, as they each performed three dances in a bid to win the coveted Glitterball trophy.
Karim and Amy wowed the judges with a reprisal of their Quickstep, and after being praised for their improvements they scored a perfect 40.
Amazing: Strictly Come Dancing kicked off its 2019 final in spectacular fashion on Saturday night, as Karim Zeroual and Amy Dowden opened the show with the first perfect score of the night
For their first dance, Karim and Amy were up first and for their Judges Choice the duo were asked to perform their Quickstep to Mr. Pinstripe Suit by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.
After scoring 39 points the first time around, the duo were aiming for a perfect score, and once again they impressed with the fast-paced routine.
Shirley praised: ‘Well first of all, what can I say? What a way to open our show and to celebrate our final, you definitely had the eye of the tiger this evening, no gapping, beautiful frame, great head position, very impressive.’
Motsi added: ‘I feel like the first time we saw this dance, it was great but this time you’ve actually matured, you’ve had time to show what you can do, you were at ease but it was electrifying.’
Exciting: The pair joined Kelvin Fletcher and Oti Mabuse and Emma Barton and Anton Du Beke for the grand finale, as they each performed three dances in a bid to win the coveted Glitterball trophy
Stunned: Karim and Amy were left speechless to received a perfect score at the start of the night, putting them in strong contention with two more dances to go
Emma and Anton were up next with their Judges Choice, which was a reprisal of their Charleston from the music Thoroughly Modern Millie.
Coming close to a perfect score with 39 points, the pair were praised for the routine which could have been plucked from the West End stage, and Bruno even declared that he would love to Charleston with her.
Shirley added: ‘I applaud you, last Lady standing you did not disappoint, your confidence was off the charts it’s the most enjoyable Charleston I’ve ever watched and Anton you looked fabulous.’
Craig added: ‘There was a sync issue, but that routine would be right at home in the West End it was absolutely fantastic.’
Reigning champion Stacey Dooley took to Instagram Stories on Saturday to cheer on the remaining three couples, as she threw her support behind Karim and Amy.
The star is now dating her professional partner Kevin, who was eliminated from this year’s Strictly in Week Two alongside presenter Anneka Rice.
Posting a video from backstage at her latest TV project, Stacey said: ‘Very very good luck to the finalists of Strictly, I will be cheering you all on. Enjoy it, just soak it up. I can’t believe it’s been a year!’
Blowing a kiss to the camera Stacey clearly shared her support for pro Amy, as she said: ‘Also… go on Amy,’ while tagging the Welsh pro.
Such a shame: It has been another eventful series of Strictly that started with upheaval, as Kelvin was drafted into the show at the last minute, after Made In Chelsea star Jamie Laing was forced to pull out after suffering a foot injury
It has been another eventful series of Strictly that started with upheaval, as Kelvin was drafted into the show at the last minute, after Made In Chelsea star Jamie Laing was forced to pull out after suffering a foot injury during rehearsals for the launch show.
Days later the star was snapped hobbling around on crutches with his foot in a protective moon boot, casting doubt over his future on the show. as the news of his injury came to light.
Later that week, Jamie later confirmed that he would not be taking part in this year’s Strictly in an emotional statement to his fans, and after the launch show aired bosses announced that Kelvin had been drafted in to replace him.
In Week 7 Paralympic star Will Bayley was also forced to drop out of the show after he suffered a horrific knee injury in rehearsals which reportedly left the star screaming in agony.
Painful: In Week 7 Paralympic star Will Bayley was also forced to drop out of the show after he suffered a horrific knee injury in rehearsals which reportedly left the star screaming in agony