Entertainment <\/p>\n
\n\tStrictly Come Dancing<\/a><\/em>, the BBC<\/a>\u2019s biggest TV entertainment show, has gone out in style in its 20th anniversary year, crowning blind comedian Chris McCausland<\/a> this year\u2019s champion after an emotional final.<\/p>\n \n\tThe dance show \u2013 the BBC\u2019s original show that paved the way for dozens of international versions (including the US\u2019s Dancing with the Stars<\/em>) \u2013 had had a chequered few months, weathering a string of controversies, with two professional dancers accused of abusive behaviour in rehearsals (both denied) and a group of new guidelines introduced to protect celebrities\u2019 welfare.<\/p>\n \n\tWhat the show desperately needed were some positive headlines to sideline these bad stories, and that\u2019s what it has enjoyed \u2013 with this series combining unprecedented standards of dancing, and an inspiring champion in blind comedian Chris McCausland.<\/p>\n \n\tFor the first few weeks of this series, McCausland remained at the bottom of the leaderboard, saved regularly by the public\u2019s vote. But each week, he became braver and more ambitious with his dancing, culminating in a spectacular moment during week 8 when he twirled his partner above his head while the audience cheered.<\/p>\n \n\tThere wasn\u2019t a dry eye in the house as the popular Liverpudlian collected his Glitterball trophy and paid tribute to the efforts of his professional partner, Dianne Buswell in using unconventional methods in teaching him to dance.<\/p>\n \n\tCharities for visually-impaired people have been quick to applaud the win, applauding McCausland\u2019s efforts in showing what is possible for disabled people.<\/p>\n \n\tApart from his victory, the show has enjoyed some other feel-good stories \u2013 one celebrity Tasha Ghouri, who wears a cochlear implant since being born deaf, has \u2018blinged up\u2019 her hearing device each week, and her watching fans has followed suit. Pop singer J B Gill\u2019s professional partner Amy Dowden had to leave the contest due to injury but he made it to the final with a substitute dancer, and actress Sarah Hadland proved what was possible for older women, scoring a row of 10 marks from the judges for her final routine of the night. All in all, it was quite the series, and the BBC can breathe again \u2013 their golden egg of a show has been rescued.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\t\t\tWatch on Deadline\t\t<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n