Since 2004 we've been entertained every year by popular dancing show Strictly Come Dancing, and the 2018 series was no different! After a competitive show, investigative journalist Stacey Dooley and her partner Kevin Clifton were crowned the winners.
The launch show for Strictly Come Dancing took place on Saturday 8th September and it didn't disappoint. From the incredible embellished gowns, to Nile Rogers and Chic getting everyone on their feet for the new series, many have branded it the 'best opening ever'.
Who won Strictly Come Dancing in 2018?
After a tense final, involving Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton, Joe Sugg and Dianne Buswell, Faye Tozer and Giovanni Pernice, and Ashley Roberts and Pasha Kovalev, it was Stacey and Kevin who lifted the famous Glitterball Trophy.
Despite Joe and Dianne being the favouirtes, Stacey's final two performances helped her pull in the votes from the public.
Who was eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing?
After a dance-off with Lee Ryan, fashion expert Susannah Constantine and her partner Anton Du Beke were the first couple to be eliminated from the show. Lee then found himself in the bottom two again in Week Three, this time he lost out to Casualty actor Charles Venn.
Although Seann and Katya were favourites to leave in Week Four after THAT kiss, it was Charles Venn and Katie Piper who found themselves in the bottom two, with Katie losing her place on the show. Vick Hope and her professional partner Graziano were then voted out in Week Five.
Week 1: No elimination
Week 2: Susannah and Anton
Week 3: Lee and Nadiya
Week 4: Katie and Gorka
Week 5: Vick and Graziano
Week 6: Seann and Katya
Week 7: Dr Ranj and Janette
Week 8: Danny and Amy
Week 9: Kate and Aljaz
Week 10: Graeme and Oti
Week 11: Charles and Karen
Week 12: Lauren and AJ
Final: Ashley and Pasha, Joe and Dianne, and Faye and Giovanni.
When was the Strictly Come Dancing final?
The 2018 Strictly Come Dancing final took place on Saturday 15th December.
When did Strictly Come Dancing start in 2018?
The first live show of 2018 took place on Saturday 22nd September, with all 15 couples taking to the dance floor.
Find out which celebs found love on Strictly Come Dancing:
RADIO Strictly Come Dancing couples - slider with cover pic
1 of 12Swipe through to see which couples found love on Strictly Come Dancing...
2 of 12Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole
On the first ever series of Strictly back in 2001, news reader Natasha Kaplinsky and professional dancer Brendan Cole were paired together.Despite both being in other relationships at the time, both Natasha and Brendan called off their romances and started dating after the series finished. Their relationship didn't last long though, and they are now both happily married to other people.
3 of 12Ali Bastian and Brian Fortuna
It was love at first sight for former Hollyoaks actress Ali Bastian and her Strictly partner Brian Fortuna in 2009. With the pair both single at the time, Ali and Brian started a relationship, only for it to end the following year.
4 of 12Joe Calzaghe and Kristina Rihanoff
When boxer Joe Calzaghe appeared on the show in 2009, he announced to the press that his relationship with his partner Jo-Emma Larvin had come to an end, just one week into his Strictly journey. Joe's professional dance partner Kristina Rihanoff was more than a shoulder to cry on, with the pair starting a romance. They went on to date for four years after show, before announcing their split.
5 of 12Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff
After her relationship with Joe Calzaghe fell apart, Kristina later met another Strictly contestant, England rugby ace Ben Cohen. Both Ben and Kristina have denied rumours that Ben was still with his ex-wife Abby Blayney at the time they started dating, with the pair claiming they didn't get together until a year later. Things are going well however, the pair now share a daughter together called Milena and are in a happy relationship.
6 of 12Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev
After her split from Joe Swash, actress Kara Tointon appeared on the 2010 series of Strictly and mended her broken heart with a little help from professional dancer Artem Chigvintsev.Despite this, things didn't work out for the couple and Kara is now loved-up with her boyfriend Marius Jensen, with rumours suggesting she could be pregnant with the couple's first child.
7 of 12Rachel Riley and Pasha Kovalev
When Countdown presenter Rachel Riley appeared on Strictly in 2013 she was married to her ex-husband Jamie Gilbert. However, after just 16 months of marriage, the pair announced they were set for divorce in November 2016. Fast-forward to 2016 and Rachel revealed she was in a relationship with her 2013 Strictly partner Pasha Kovalev... And they are still together!
8 of 12Georgia May Foote and Giovanni Pernice
Georgia May Foote was dating her Coronation Street co-star Sean Ward when she joined the show in 2015. But when rumours circulated that the couple's relationship wasn't going well, they split in December 2015. Georgia was then spotted getting very cosy with her Strictly partner Giovanni, with the pair enjoying a holiday to Disneyland Paris for New Year.Despite this, the couple ended their relationship in August 2016.
9 of 12Dianne Buswell and Joe Sugg
After weeks of rumours, Joe Sugg appeared to confirm his relationship with Strictly Come Dancing partner Dianne Buswell with a photo on Instagram, the caption read, 'I may not have won the glitter ball, but I've won something a million times more special.'
10 of 12Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez
Radio presenter Gemma Atkinson and professional dancer Gorka Marquez were first linked in the 2017 series, and got together whilst on the 2018 annual tour together. They moved in together in December 2018.
11 of 12Giovanni Pernice and Ashley Roberts
Professional dancer Giovanni Pernice and Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts were forced to deny they were dating during the 2018 series, but Giovanni confirmed the relationship in January 2019.In January 2020, the duo confirmed they'd split.
12 of 12Caroline Flack and AJ Pritchard
Official news on whether these two are dating is yet to be confirmed, but 2014 Strictly winner Caroline Flack was spotted kissing professional dancer AJ Pritchard at the 2019 NTAs.
Which celebrities took part in Strictly Come Dancing?
15 celebrities took part in the 2018 series, including the likes of Katie Piper, Lee Ryan, Ashley Roberts and This Morning's Dr Ranj Singh.
What channel is Strictly Come Dancing on?
As it has been since the show first launched in 2004, Strictly Come Dancing will air on BBC on Saturday and Sunday nights, with the spin-off show Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two, broadcasting on BBC2.
Who are the Strictly Come Dancing judges?
Earlier this year it was confirmed that all four of last year's judges would be returning to the show. These include head judge Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Bruno Tonioli and Darcey Bussel.
Was Brendan Cole axed from Strictly Come Dancing?
In January 2018, Strictly Come Dancing legend Brendan Cole announced his contract hadn't been renewed after 13 years on the show.
Announcing the news on Lorraine, Brendan held back the tears and said, “It’s quite, actually, hard to talk about. The BBC haven’t renewed my contract. We get contracted year upon year. They’ve made an editorial decision to not have me back on the show. I’m a little bit in shock. I’m quite emotional, a bit raw about it.
“It’s done via a process of a phone call and stuff. I have had 15 incredible series on the show. I’m very proud of the whole show. It’s a great team. I’m disappointed. It’s very hard to talk about. It’s a recent decision."
Who are the professional dancers on this year's Strictly Come Dancing?
In May this year, it was confirmed that THREE brand new dancers would be joining the show for the 2018 series. These include South African Johannes Radebe, Italian Graziano Di Prima and Russian Luba Mushtuk.
The three new professionals will take the total of professional dancers to 18, with them joining AJ Pritchard, Aljaž Škorjanec, Amy Dowden, Anton Du Beke, Dianne Buswell, Giovanni Pernice, Gorka Marquez, Janette Manrara, Karen Clifton, Katya Jones, Kevin Clifton, Nadiya Bychkova, Neil Jones, Oti Mabuse and Pasha Kovalev.
Who presented Strictly Come Dancing in 2018?
Popular hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman returned to present the 2018 series. The pair have received great praise from both viewers and critics over the last few years.
After presenting the Sunday night results show for a number of years, Claudia took over Bruce Forsyth's role as co-presenter alongside Tess in 2014.
Who were the Strictly Come Dancing winners in 2017?
Former Holby City actor Joe McFadden and his partner Katya Jones lifted the famous Glitterball trophy last year, after beating the likes of Alexandra Burke, Gemma Atkinson and Debbie McGee.
Speaking of his victory, Joe said, "It feels completely surreal and I'm so in awe of everyone who started all of those weeks ago."
How does the Strictly Come Dancing voting work?
The voting on Strictly Come Dancing combines both the judges scores and the public votes, meaning no couple is safe, even if they receive the top score of 40 from the judges.
After all couples have performed, phone lines open for the public to vote for their favourite couple, then the judges scores and the public votes are added together. The couple ranked the highest will be given a number of points equal to the number of couples competing that evening.
Voting is now closed.
Strictly Come Dancing is set to return in 2019.
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