The Strictly Sweep – The Final Standings
And that was that then. The McFly double achieved. Dougie is crowned King of the Jungle, and now Harry is the champ in the ballroom. What a shame Danny was rubbish at opera singing. Still, there we are. As I’ve often said, the contestant on Strictly that proves to be “Housewives’ Choice” will invariably do well. The boyish, handsome, unthreatening kind of guy that appeals to what I would still percieve as Strictly’s major demographic, at least where voting is concerned. Look back over the history of Strictly and you’ll see the top three every year littered with such unthreatening males that mums would love to see their daughters bring home. That being said, even up to the result being announced, I’d have still put money on Chelsee’s name being read out, as in all honesty she has shown herself to be equally unthreatening, sweet and nice – just the kind of girl a nice young boy might bring home to meet his mum. But there we are. I may be able to predict the gender of soon to be born babies with unflinching accuracy (2 for 2 this year. Oh yes.), but when it comes to predicting whose name Brucie reads out at the Grand Final, I still need some practice. As it is, congratulations to you if you had Harry & Aliona, because you happily find yourself £50.00 better off.
As far as the leagues are concerned, this has been a topsy-turvy year. In years gone by you’ve found that one couple tends to dominate, even if that couple hasn’t won Strictly itself. This time though, for the first time in the four years I’ve been doing this, I find that a different couple has won each league title. The main league was a constant battle all the way through, and ended up so close in the end that, had Judge Craig got his dusty 10 paddle out for Chelsee & Pasha just once, then they would have gained enough points to squeak ahead. As it was, thanks to a pair of perfect scores, Harry & Aliona finish top of the main league, and so if you had them you pick up the £20.00 for winning this competition. In the ballroom league however, we find that the Team Hali domination ends, due in no small part to Kristina choosing to do a ballroom based rather than latin based showdance. Even though Jason & Kristina were restricted to doing only two dances, due to their being eliminated and finishing third in the competition, that they did a pair of ballroom routines means that, by the slender margin of just three points, they squeak over the line as champions of the ballroom league. So if you had Jason & Kristina, you’ll find a box of Celebrations winging its way to you very soon. The latin league was less of a nailbiter however, as Chelsee & Pasha romped to victory in this by the significant margin of 51 points. So if you had Chelsee & Pasha then a box of Roses will be on its way by the next post.
Which just leaves the minor competitions. As I suggested last week, the standard was so high as to cause the judges to hand out three perfect scores in the final, together with three 39s, and no score below 36. The consequence of this is to confirm that the highest individual weekly score, which means the highest score topping the judges’ leaderboard not replicated by anyone else, is Jason & Kristina’s 33 way back in Week 2. So congratulations to you if you had Jason & Kristina. In the average score competition, Harry & Aliona come top with an average of 35, which comes in at 0.3 of a point more than Chelsee & Pasha. While Harry & Aliona also triumph in the total 10s competition, finishing with a total of 25, which is 18 more than their nearest rivals, Jason & Kristina.
And that’s that. Well done to all those of you that won. Commiserations to those that didn’t. But I hope it was fun all the same. The Christmas Special is on BBC1 on Christmas Day at 7.00pm – fortunately this is not in direct competition with Downton, so I think we can all breathe a sigh of relief at that one. And we’re now just eight months away from finding out who will be taking part in Strictly 2012. Start your planning now. Have a great Christmas, a fabulous new year, and keep an eye open for an email in August 
SEE YA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chairman Pip’s Railway Thoughts Strictly League 2011
| Dancers | Points |
| Harry/Aliona | 1014 |
| Chelsee/Pasha | 1002 |
| Jason/Kristina | 896 |
| Holly/Artem | 775 |
| Alex/James | 756 |
| Robbie/Ola | 601 |
| Anita/Robin | 566 |
| Russell/Flavia | 484 |
| Lulu/Brendan | 427 |
| Audley/Natalie | 391 |
| Rory/Erin | 333 |
| Nancy/Anton | 239 |
| Dan/Katya | 219 |
| Edwina/Vincent | 151 |
For the ballroom and latin leagues, the tables look like this: Celebrations Ballroom League
| Jason/Kristina | 256 |
| Harry/Aliona | 253 |
| Chelsee/Pasha | 211 |
| Alex/James | 195 |
| Holly/Artem | 160 |
| Robbie/Ola | 149 |
| Audley/Natalie | 116 |
| Russell/Flavia | 93 |
| Anita/Robin | 91 |
| Rory/Erin | 83 |
| Lulu/Brendan | 72 |
| Dan/Katya | 58 |
| Nancy/Anton | 52 |
| Edwina/Vincent | 34 |
Roses Latin League
| Chelsee/Pasha | 403 |
| Harry/Aliona | 352 |
| Jason/Kristina | 276 |
| Holly/Artem | 269 |
| Anita/Robin | 226 |
| Alex/James | 219 |
| Robbie/Ola | 173 |
| Russell/Flavia | 161 |
| Lulu/Brendan | 160 |
| Audley/Natalie | 88 |
| Rory/Erin | 71 |
| Nancy/Anton | 71 |
| Dan/Katya | 66 |
| Edwina/Vincent | 57 |
