³ÉÈËÂÛ̳

In a festive end to Strictly Come Dancing, actress Ali Bastian was crowned Strictly Come Dancing 2009 Christmas Champion after battling it out against the Strictly Champion Chris Hollins, Hollyoaks actor Ricky Whittle as well as former Strictly contestants Rachel Stevens, rugby legend Austin Healey and TV presenter Gethin Jones.

Ali Bastian performed a Viennese Waltz to The Eagles' Please Come Home For Christmas with her professional partner Brian Fortuna. She scored a perfect 40 from the judges and won over the studio audience who voted for their favourite to win.

Ricky Whittle and Natalie Lowe performed a quickstep to Jingle Bells, Austin Healey and Erin Boag performed a paso doble to Bohemian Rhapsody, Gethin Jones and Flavia Cacace performed an American Smooth to Baby It's Cold Outside, Rachel Stevens and Vincent Simone performed a rumba to Miss You Most (At Christmas Time) and Chris Hollins and Ola Jordan performed a foxtrot to Santa Baby.

On Ali and Brian's Viennese Waltz, the judges said –

Bruno Tonioli: "Ali, that was an impeccable Viennese Waltz of supreme beauty, I'm so happy to see you again because it really brings back to me the full intensity of your dancing. You're superb, you're a fantastic dancer, technique and artistry all there to be seen. Fabulous."

Craig Revel Horwood: "I totally agree with all of that actually, stunning, gorgeous and an absolute classic."

Len Goodman: "I tell you what Ali, you are a stocking filler, you are, you're Cinderalla, the belle of the ball, absolutely gorgeous."

Alesha Dixon: "I've really missed you two, I mean that was a beautiful dance, a beautiful couple, I feel like you are keeping romance alive and that was just a wonderful Christmas treat, thank you."

On winning the Christmas Special, Ali Bastian said: "I can't believe it, thank you very much. I can't remember who won rock, paper, scissors! This is fantastic, thank you so much!"

Brian Fortuna said: "Awesome, it's Christmas, I'm with Ali, we won the show, beautiful!"

In the culmination of Strictly Come Dancing's thrilling seventh series, there was also a special performance by the cast of hit musical The Rat Pack who performed White Christmas.

Notes to Editors

For more information and gossip, visit bbc.co.uk/strictlycomedancing or follow on Twitter: bbcstrictly.

IV/RB/KS3