Torchwood star John Barrowman beats Fern Britton and Vince Cable to win Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special

By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 11:56 AM on 26th December 2010

Torchwood star John Barrowman was crowned the winner of the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special tonight.

The 43-year-old and partner Kristina Rihanoff gave an energetic and festive performance of the quickstep which thrilled the judges on the show which also included a guest performance from series ten winners Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev.
The former EastEnders star took to the stage with rugby player Gavin Henson,  psychologist Pamela Stephenson and TV presenter Matt Baker.

 

Their performance came after Barrowman, dressed in a silver waist and matching waistcoat, won praise from the judges with Bruno Tonioli exclaiming, 'Do dazzlers come any more dazzling than John Barrowman! Is there anything you can't do?'

While an enthusiastic Len Goodman remarked, 'John, you jingled my bells. That was a great way to start the show.

But Craig Revel Horwood was slightly less than impressed by the performance.

'You did lose a bit of body contact and there was one kind of stumble moment,' he said. 
Next to dance was impressionist Ronni Ancona will partner Anton du Beke who danced the Viennese Waltz.

 

Leaning to the right: Business Secretary Vince Cable with partner Erin Boag

Then Anconer, who was dressed in a stunning red and white ball gown, joked: 'I had to play them all' when she received a standing ovation from the crowd.

But the judges had a mixed reaction, with Alesha Dixon commenting that she 'was a little bit shaky and a little bit skippy' at times.

Revel Horwood offered the harshest criticism, 'You had a major balance issue throughout,' he said. 'The spins were a little bit of a disaster.'

However Goodman was full of praise, calling Anconer: 'An absolute Christmas cracker.'
Although he did remark that she looked like 'a duck on ice' at times.

Business Secretary Vince Cable and partner Erin Boag were third to dance, performing the foxtrot.

 

The judges couldn't resist a few digs about the government with Revel Horwood joking, 'You do have a tendency to lean slightly to the right.'

Goodman also joked: 'I'm happier than a banker counting his Christmas bonus.'

Dixon said that she was especially pleased with Cable as she had danced with him previously.

The MP seemed nervous throughout the judges comments and later compared the former Prime Minister to Revel Horwood, joking: 'Gordon Brown is a pussycat compared to him.'
Former This Morning presenter Fern Britton and Matthew Cutler were fourth on the dancefloor, performing the jive.

Britton looked stunning in a figure-hugging costume and Tonioli was thrilled with her dance.

'You've got a really good sense of musicality and lovely legs,' he said.

'The kicks and flicks were a little lame,' said Revel Horwood.
'I thought you coped very well with all of those changes of rhythm.'
While Goodman said the dance was like a trifle, 'Fruity up top and spongy on the bottom.'

EastEnder's veteran June Brown, who plays Dot Cotton in the BBC soap opera, performed an elaborate Tango routine with Vincent Simone.
'Loved the nose to nose action,' said Dixon. 'It was so funny and June, I just want to say you're an inspiration.'
But Revel Horwood pointed out that 'there wasn't a lot of dancing,' to the routine.

Host Tess Daly later praised June for being 'our most senior Strictly contender'. To which the 83-year-old joked, 'Will you stop it!'