Strictly Come Dancing final 2017: Alexandra Burke bounces back from criticism as she gets four ‘10s’ in first dance of grand final

The pop star has had a rocky road during this year's series
Perfect 10: Alexandra burke performs on the Strictly final
BBC
Jennifer Ruby16 December 2017

Alexandra Burke screamed as she was given four ‘10s’ for her first dance of the Strictly Come Dancing live grand final.

The pop star bounced back from criticism over her ‘fake’ attitude to prove that she was still one of the frontrunners for this year’s Glitterball Trophy.

The judges picked the first dance for the four couples, with Burke and partner Gorka Marquez up first up with their American Smooth from Movie Week.

They managed to beat their original 33 point score, receiving four ‘10s’ from the judges.

Powering through: Debbie McGee and Giovanni
BBC

“You truly capture the essence of everything this Strictly final is about,” said Shirley Ballas. “You brought a much softer side - it was exquisite.”

“I thought it was absolutely dreadful because I couldn’t find a single thing wrong with it,” said Craig Revel Horwood.

Debbie McGee was given the Salsa, which she struggled with when she performed it earlier in the series.

Strictly Come Dancing 2017 - In pictures

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“It was spectacular darling,” said Revel Horwood. “Just amazing.”

McGee went on to just miss out on a full house, receiving three '10s' and one '9' from Revel Horwood.

Gemma Atkinson was told she was “on fire” after her Pasa Doble, which won rave reviews from the judges, gaining her two ‘9s’ and two ‘10s’.

"On fire": Gemma Atkinson dances the Paso Doble
BBC

Current favourite Joe McFadden was the last to perform his Viennese Waltz, which was described as “perfect” by Ballas but only received three '10s' and one '9'.

Burke then performed her 'show dance', which was a mash-up of different dances, winning her a near-perfect score of 39.

McGee was given a 38 for her show dance, while Atkinson received , after Revel Horwood told her he "didn't love it" but Ballas said she was "blown away".

Burke's chose her favourite dance for her third and final dance, picking her Jive ot Proud Mary.

"I'm sure it will go down in Strictly Come Dancing hall of fame," said Bruno Toniolo.

Hard-to-please Revel Horwood gave the singer a standing ovation, prompting her to break down in tears.

"Your energy and sparkle just lights up the room," said Ballas.

"I really don't want to cry but I just want to say that I'm grateful. It's been a tough journey but it's brought so much joy to my world. I'm so happy," said Burke.

McGee was described as "stunningly fearless" after her final Argentinian Tango, with Bussell saying that this is the "beginning of a whole new era" for the star, giving her four '10s'.

Atkinson won 39 points for her final dance, with Toniolo even falling off his chair after the performance.

McFadden chose the Charleston for his last dance, described by Revel Horwood as simply "fabulous".

"You are such a natural dancer now," said Bussell. "For me this is the perfect end to an amazing final."

"You have truly turned into a magnificant dancer," agreed Ballas.

Over the course of tonight’s two-and-a-half-hour long final, the finalists will each dance three times.

While the couples’ favourite and judges’ pick dances will be revealed during the episode itself, Atkinson and her partner Aljaz Skorjanec’s dance involves Foxtrot, Charleston and Quickstep, while McFadden and Katya Jones’ is set to be fast-paced with lots of intricate steps.

Meanwhile McGee and Giovanni Pernice’s performance will involve a lot of lifts and an ‘emotional’ soundtrack, and Burke and her partner Gorka Marquez combines American Smooth with Argentine Tango to recreate their ‘best moments’.

There was some speculation that McGee might not make the final after falling ill earlier this week, but the TV personality has rallied in time to take to the stage for her last dances.

Judges Craig Revel Horwood, Darcey Bussell, Brunio Tonioli and Shirley Ballas are out in force, with Ballas having revealed earlier this week to The Sun that she hopes ‘to be asked back’ onto the panel next year.

The ‘fearsome foursome’ will be giving their scores as usual during the evening, but it will ultimately be down to the viewers at home to decide the outcome by voting for their favourites.

Last year’s winner, BBC sports presenter Ore Oduba will be returning to the Strictly studio to hand over the Glitterball trophy to the 2017 champion.

The current bookies’ favourite is series underdog McFadden, with odds of 4/6.

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