Shirley Ballas applauded for heartwarming gesture to Dianne Buswell in BBC Strictly finale: ‘An exceptional teacher!’
Strictly Come Dancing ended its milestone series 20 on Saturday, with Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell lifting the Glitterball Trophy as series winners.
The emotion-packed final episode sparked plenty of tears from the stars of the show and those watching at home, and one special gesture from head judge Shirley Ballas saw her showered with praise online.
It came during McCausland and Buswell’s final performance, a revisit to the Waltz they performed back in October to You’ll Never Walk Alone.
Part of the dance saw the 47-year-old – the show’s first-ever blind contestant – dancing alone for a short moment before professional partner Buswell reunited with him.
Following the routine, McCausland broke down in tears and hugged Buswell, while others around them were also moved to tears – including Buswell’s dad.
Host Tess Daly was visibly touched as she brought the couple to the judging panel, who were also unable to contain their emotions.
Head judge Shirley Ballas remarked: “I have to give this young lady a cuddle,” as she pulled Buswell for a hug.
“You have found a way to this man’s heart, you have found every step that’s possible for him to do, and that takes a very, very special person,” she told the Australian dancer.
The cameras then panned to the professional’s proud parents, who were also crying in the crowd.
“So from one teacher to an amazing teacher, congratulations,” the judge concluded.
Ballas also told McCausland: “You certainly will never walk alone, I think the whole country will be following every single thing that you do, and this was totally, totally on top of your game.”
Fans were moved by Ballas’ acknowledgment of Buswell, with many expressing their appreciation for the moment on X.
“Love that Shirley gave Dianne a little shout out #strictly,” one wrote before a second penned: “I’m so glad that Shirley gave credit to Dianne who has been such an exceptional teacher to Chris! #SCD #StrictlyComeDancing #Strictly.”
“So glad that Shirley just did that, Dianne deserves an endless amount of praise for this partnership. #Strictly #StrictlyComeDancing,” another echoed.
A different X user else admitted: “No thats it, I’m gone. Dianne deserved that mention from Shirley. She’s done something incredible here, I challenge any dance teacher to do what’s she’s done. Her & Chris’s partnership has been incredible! #Strictly #StrictlyComeDancing.”
“Aww, well done Shirley for hugging Dianne .. she is an amazing teacher and it needs to be shouted from the rooftops!! #Strictly #StrictlyComeDancing #StrictlyComeDancing24 #SCD,” another shared.
One more wrote: “What I will say, is no matter what you have against shirley, you have to respect the fact that she has PRAISED dianne for her teaching every week #strictly.” (sic)
Following the win, Daly asked McCausland: “We need to know Chris, how does it feel to be our winner?”
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“It’s astonishing…” McCausland replied, seeming lost for words. “I don’t know what to say. I honestly thought I could go out in the first week or two. And I know no one went out in the first week but I thought I still could!”
“We’ve just lasted and lasted, and she has got so much out of me,” he added as he pointed to Buswell.
“I mean, she deserves this so much,” McCausland went on. “She’s just every day… positivity, belief and honestly one of the most easy people to be funny with I’ve ever met. Unless she changes her number, she’s stuck with me!
“And this is for her and it’s for everyone out there that got told they couldn’t do something or thought they couldn’t do something… and it just shows that with opportunity and support and determination, anything can happen.”
Buswell added: “Chris says this is for me, but it’s not for me, it is for me and you, Chris. We did this together. Without you, I couldn’t do this.”