Everything That You Do Will Come Back to You

EastEnders' deaf actress Rose Ayling-Ellis and her dance partner Giovanni Pernice lifted the glitterball as she was crowned winner of Strictly Come Dancing after competing against John Whaite in the most diverse final in the show's 17-year history.

For the first time, just two finalists went head-to-head on Saturday night after AJ Odudu was forced to pull out of the competition a day prior due to an ankle injury that left the heartbroken presenter, 33, in crutches.

The nail-biting end to the 2021 series came down to the viewers' vote after both Rose, 27, and John, 32,who formed the first ever male sex partnership with Johannes Radebe, tied on the leaderboard with the judges praising both for the 'groundbreaking' roles they have played in the competition.

WINNER! EastEnders' deaf actress Rose Ayling-Ellis lifted the glitterball as she was crowned winner of Strictly Come Dancing after competing against John Whaite in the most diverse final in the show's 17-year history

As her name was unveiled as the winner of Strictly 2021, Rose said to Giovanni: 'I just want to say you are so amazing. You pushed me to believe in myself more than I believe in myself. You are an incredible teacher, but not just that you are a wonderful friend.

'We've gone through a lot, and I just want you to know no matter what happens, no matter how busy we get, I want to you to know you've always got a piece of my heart. You really do.'

A teary-eyed Giovanni also revelled in their success on the BBC show as he scored his first win since he joined Strictly seven years ago.

Gracious runner-up: Viewers watched as Rose managed to pip John to the post after they both drew on the leaderboard with the same near-perfect scores

In tears: For the first time, just two finalists competed after AJ Odudu was forced to pull out of the competition on Friday, due to an ankle injury which left the presenter in crutches

Gracious runner-up: The nail-biting end to the 2021 series came after the judges praised both for the 'groundbreaking' roles they have played in the competition

Moved: When host Tess Daly asked what Giovanni what it meant to win, he said: 'Incredible. Thank you for this beautiful young lady who has made all my dreams come true. It took me seven years to get that thing'

Crying: Rose then turned to him to say: 'You pushed me to believe in myself. I just want you to know no matter how big you get, you've always got a piece in my heart,' leaving the dancer in tears

Strictly leaderboard

Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice

Judge's Choice: Quickstep- 39

Favourite Dance:Couple's Choice-  40

Show Dance: The Rose - 40

Total: 119

John Whaite and Johannes Radebe

Judge's Choice:Rumba: 39

Favourite Danc e: Paso Doble- 40

Show Dance: You've Got The Love - 40

Total: 119

He said to Rose, who is best known for playing Frankie Lewis in EastEnders: 'I have to say thank you to this beautiful young lady that made all my dreams come true. It took me seven years to get that thing.

'You became the best, best dancer, the best teammate I could ask for. You are a dream, Rose, you really are a dream. So, thank you for everything.'

The pair impressed the judges from the start as they kicked off the show, hoping to improve their score of 37 previously as they danced the Quickstep to Love Is An Open Door from Frozen from Musical week.

Commenting on their performance, head judge Shirley Ballas, 61, said: 'It was Strictly magic. That was a phenomenal Quickstep.

'You have managed to pull everything, you just went out there and you smashed it. Congratulations.'

Anton Du Beke added: 'I'm not sure who is more nervous you or Giovanni. It was just beautiful, charming, wonderful.'

Craig Revel Horwood scored nine, while Motsi Mabuse, Shirley and Anton all gave 10 points, giving them a near-perfect score of 39 points.

Next up was John's Judge's Choice which was the Rumba to Shape of My Heart by Sting. Shirley told the pair: 'It's rather emotional for me. It was a story of narrative and hope. The best compliment I can give you John is that I hope I can dance the Rumba with you one day.'

Connection: The EastEnders 'actress, who is best known for playing Frankie Lewis in EastEnders, impressed the judges from the start as she opened with her Judges Choice' dance with Giovanni, while John and Johannes waited in the wings

Smashed it: The pair improved their previous score of 37 as they danced the Quickstep to Love Is An Open Door from Frozen from Musical week

Is it crazy that we finish each other's sentences? The EastEnders' actress got into character as Princess Anna, while Giovanni transformed into Prince Hans of the Southern Isles

High praise indeed: Commenting on their performance, head judge Shirley Ballas said: 'It was Strictly magic. That was a phenomenal Quickstep'

Congratulations: Craig Revel Horwood scored nine, while Motsi Mabuse, Shirley and Anton all gave 10 points, giving them a near-perfect score of 39 points

Motsi added: 'I just loved it. To dance the Rumba in the final- that's a first. But for me, this was appreciation of time, touch and breath and that is what you want.'

And it was neck-and-neck on the leaderboard as John managed to also score 39 points, with just Craig holding back from giving him that perfect 10.

For round two, Anton was moved to tears as Rose performed the Couple's Choice to Symphony by Clean Bandit featuring Zara Larsson.

Connection: Next up was John's Judge's Choice which was the Rumba to Shape of My Heart by Sting. Shirley told the pair: 'It's rather emotional for me. It was a story of narrative and hope'

The race is on: And it was neck-and-neck on the leaderboard as John managed to also score 39 points, with just Craig holding back from giving him that perfect 10

Beautiful: For round two, Anton was moved to tears as Rose performed the Couple's Choice to Symphony by Clean Bandit featuring Zara Larsson

The moving dance, featured a silent moment, as the actress paid homage to the deaf community.

Reflecting on her performance Rose said: 'This dance means a lot to me. I did feel like this is the dance that says everything about my Strictly journey.

'I knew this dance would make an impact but actually it changed people's perception. That's what we've been asking for, for years.'

They were awarded the full 40 points.

Important: The moving dance, featured a silent moment, as the actress paid homage to the deaf community. Rose said: 'This dance means a lot to me. I did feel like this is the dance says everything about my Strictly journey'

Recognition: Rose tearfully added: 'I knew this dance would make an impact but actually it changed people's perception. That's what we've been asking for, for years.'

Perfect score: The pair couldn't believe it as they were awarded the full 40 points

And there was everything to play for as it went in to the final round after John and Johannes were also awarded a perfect score for their couple's choice.

The pair improved on their 39 points from Musicals week as they did the Paso Doble to He's a Pirate by Klaus Badelt, from Pirates of the Caribbean, by getting a perfect score.

Winning Craig over, he joked: 'You're little finger did bother me'.

Before he added: 'It was brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.'

Competition heating up: And there was everything to play as it went in to the final round after John and Johannes were also awarded a perfect score for their couple's choice

Impressive: Winning Craig over, he joked: 'You're little finger did bother me', before he added: 'It was brilliant. Absolutely brilliant'

Well done! The pair improved on their 39 points from Musicals week as they did the Paso Doble to He's a Pirate by Klaus Badelt, from Pirates of the Caribbean, getting a full score

For their final dance, Rose and Giovanni pulled out all the stops with a 'serene' performance to The Rose by Bette Midle.

Shirley commented: 'It was serene, beautiful and it will leave a mark on my heart forever. Thank you for taking part in this competition.

Anton added: 'I love watching dance. Forgive me for not looking at you but I'll cry. I feel as we all do that we're blessed that we've been able to share this experience of watching you two dance on Strictly Come Dancing.'

Rose and Giovanni couldn't believe it when they were awarded with another 40 points, bringing their total to 119.

For their final dance, John and Johannes chose You've Got The Love to symbolise their same-sex partnership.

Scoring 40 points, the pair left the judges in tears for the 'groundbreaking' role they have played in the competition.

This meant both finalists tied in the leaderboard and it was down to the viewers' vote to decide who would be crowned winner of Strictly 2021.

From a seed to a blossoming Rose: For their final dance, Rose and Giovanni pulled out all the stops with a 'serene' performance to The Rose by Bette Midle

Thought-provoking: For their final dance, John and Johannes chose You've Got The Love to symbolise their same-sex partnership

Keep dancing: Scoring 40 points, the pair left the judges in tears for the 'groundbreaking' role they have played in the competition

Opening the show, host Tess made reference to AJ's premature exit. She said: Sadly AJ and Kai are not dancing tonight. AJ sustained an ankle injury earlier in the week and despite treatment and rest she is not able to dance, so has had to withdraw from the competition.

Claudia Winkleman added: 'We will be speaking to AJ last in the show and I think we can all agree that although AJ cannot perform tonight she is and always will be a Strictly finalist.  AJ we love you.'

The show featured a performance from Ed Sheeran and Janette Manrara returned after quitting to host It Takes Two to dance alongside husband Aljaž Škorjanec.

Heartbreaking: Opening the show, host Tess Daly made reference to AJ's premature exit. She said: Sadly AJ and Kai are not dancing tonight. AJ sustained an ankle injury earlier in the week and despite treatment and rest she is not able to dance'

Claudia Winkleman added: 'We will be speaking to AJ last in the show and I think we can all agree that although AJ cannot perform tonight she is and always will be a Strictly finalist. AJ we love you.'

Romantic: The show featured a performance from Ed Sheeran and Janette Manrara returned after quitting to host It Takes Two to dance alongside husband Aljaž Škorjanec

Ahead of the final, Rose was at 1-20 odds on favourite to win Strictly Come Dancing with 95% chance of lifting the glitterball trophy, while John, was the 8-1 outsider.

Other predictions suggest EastEnders star Rose and dance partner Giovanni could finish their three routines with 119 points out of 120, compared to chef John and dance partner Johanne predicted 117 points.

Both finalists are groundbreaking contestants, with Rose being the first deaf celebrity to compete in Strictly come dancing and John being the first male celebrity to be in a same-sex pairing.

Leading bookmaker Coral has given Rose Ayling-Ellis an 89% chance of winning Strictly Come Dancing, and named her the shortest priced Strictly favourite ever.

Coral's John Hill said: 'It's very unfortunate that AJ has had to withdraw at this stage. Rose is now the shortest priced favourite we have ever had in a Strictly final.

'Rose has been the favourite to lift the Glitterball Trophy from very early into this series. Our odds suggests she has a 89% chance of winning the final this weekend.

'It will be an early Christmas present for many punters as Rose has been well backed to prevail ever since she stepped foot on the dance floor in week one.'

Emotional: The Strictly final was thrown into chaos on Friday after AJ Odudu, 33, pulled out of the competition at the last minute after suffering ligament damage to her foot during rehearsals this week

It comes after the Strictly final was thrown into chaos on Friday after AJ pulled out of the competition at the last minute after suffering ligament damage to her foot during rehearsals this week.

The television presenter and her professional dance partner Kai, 26, broke down in tears on Friday's It Takes Two as they made their first TV appearance after being forced to quit the show.

Speaking to host Rylan Clark-Neal, 'gutted' AJ wiped away tears after watching a clip of their Strictly journey, as she remarked: 'It wasn't the way we wanted to come out.'

AJ explained: 'Do you know what, we had the best time and on Monday we rehearsed and we were just excited like, "Right, we're going to do the jive, we're going to do the Charleston, what a way to end our experience."

Sad news: The presenter, 33, had no choice but to pull out of the grand final after suffering ligament damage to her foot during rehearsals this week (pictured on Friday)

'My ankle's given way and my ligament has ruptured and it's just not gonna happen. We're gutted because we were ready to smash it.

'This isn't the way that we wanted to go out, obviously, but even just looking back at all of those moments, it's just been an absolute pleasure dancing with Kai every single week, so thank you.'

Meanwhile, Kai reflected on their two energetic dances and told how they were 'hoping to change them' to make it easier for AJ, but added that her injury was just 'too bad'.

The pro dancer added that he's glad they 'went out on a high from last week' after topping the leader board and bagging their first perfect score of 40 points.

It's all over: AJ has been forced to give up her dream of taking home the glitterball trophy and released a statement expressing her upset

Everything That You Do Will Come Back to You

Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-10324463/Strictly-2021-FINAL-Rose-Ayling-Ellis-starts-near-perfect-score.html