Strictly Come Dancing final 2022: Hamza Yassin and Jowita Pryzstal are crowned the WINNERS

Hamza Yassin and Jowita Pryzstal were crowned the winners of Strictly Come Dancing 2022  on Saturday night.

The wildlife cameraman, 32, fought off stiff competition from fellow competitors Fleur East, Helen Skelton and Molly Rainford as he was announced as the champion by hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.

Hamza and Jowita’s victory comes despite the pair landing at the bottom of the leaderboard, no thanks to their Showdance which was earlier branded ‘underwhelming’ by Craig Revel Horwood. 

Strictly Come Dancing FINAL 2022: Hamza Yassin and Jowita Pryzstal are crowned the WINNERS after beating Fleur East, Helen Skelton and Molly Rainford in nail-biting final 

Speaking after his win, an emotional Hamza said: ‘Words can’t describe how I feel. I want to thank one person in particular – Jowita, you are an angel disguised as a human being. That’s what you are, you’re amazing.

‘Thank you to everyone out there for voting for us. This is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.’

While Jowita shared: ‘Anything is possible and he is just the proof that anything is possible. He came here on the show with no dancing experience, with pigeon toes! And he made it. He worked hard and he made it, and I’m so proud of you.’ 

They did it! Hamza and Jowita’s victory comes despite the pair landing at the bottom of the leaderboard, no thanks to their Showdance which was earlier branded ‘underwhelming’ by Craig Revel Horwood

Congrats: The wildlife cameraman, 32, fought off stiff competition from fellow competitors Fleur East, Helen Skelton and Molly Rainford as he was announced as the champion by hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman

And things got very emotional for Hamza Yassin as he finally bagged his first perfect score for his and Jowita Pryzstal’s final dance of the season – his very first perfect score.

But while Hamza wowed with his first Judges’ pick dance, his second – the Showdance – didn’t go quite as well, with the wildlife cameraman and partner Jowita Przystal scoring only 34 points after the judges called it ‘underwhelming’. 

Meanwhile, Fleur East and Vito Coppola were on fine form on the night as they bagged not one but two perfect score of 40 points on the night with their Samba and Couple’s choice routines.

For their final dance of the night, Hamza and Jowita performed their couple’s choice dance of to Jerusalema – Remix by Master KG featuring Burna Boy and Nomcebo Zikode.

Can’t belive it: Speaking after his win, an emotional Hamza said: ‘Words can’t describe how I feel. I want to thank one person in particular – Jowita, you are an angel disguised as a human being. That’s what you are, you’re amazing’

And after their disappointing Showdance, the two were determined to end their Strictly experience with a bang.

And they did just that as they had everyone on their feet with their thrilling routine, with things getting a little teary during the comments as they judges praised his amazing progress. 

Shirley told the couple: ‘Take a moment, take it in, you are what I call the true competitor… We are going to miss you, you are a star in your own right. Jowita, you are just beautiful. What a wonderful partnership.’

Tears: Strictly’s final saw  things get very emotional for Hamza Yassin as he finally bagged his first perfect score for his and Jowita Pryzstal’s final dance of the season – his very first perfect score

Killing it: Meanwhile, Fleur East and Vito Coppola were on fine form on the night as they bagged not one but two perfect score of 40 points on the night with their Samba and Couple’s choice routines

Oh no: While Hamza wowed with his first Judges’ pick dance, his second – the Showdance – didn’t go quite as well, with the wildlife cameraman and partner Jowita Przystal scoring only 34 points after the judges called it ‘underwhelming’

While Anton fought back tears as he said: ‘I get a little emotional watching you dance because it’s like the clouds part and the sun comes out. I’ve watched a lot of people dance in my life and I’ve found a lot of joy in watching you.’

Craig then brought out his humorous side as he told Hamza: ‘You’re everything I’m not. You spread joy to everyone.’

While Motsi added: ‘I’m going to try in the final not to cry but you broke me… You spread joy, you made us forget just for a millisecond. What ever happens tonight I want to thank you for that joy.’

Giving it their all: For their final dance of the night, Hamza and Jowita performed their couple’s choice dance of to Jerusalema – Remix by Master KG featuring Burna Boy and Nomcebo Zikode

Go for it! And after their disappointing Showdance, the two were determined to end their Strictly experience with a bang

Lovely:  And they did just that as they had everyone on their feet with their thrilling routine, with things getting a little teary during the comments as they judges praised his amazing progress

Good for you: Hamza and Jowita finally got their perfect 40 score after their impressive final dance

It comes after Showdance didn’t quite go to plan as after taking to the floor with their Quickstep routine to Let’s Face The Music And Dance by Irving Berlin, the pair struggled to pull off a flawless performance as they made a few mistakes.

Commenting on the dance, Shirley said: ‘It was the first time that I saw a little panic. It went wrong and it just took a few seconds, which I know felt for you like a lifetime, to get going. I applaud you for that high lift at the end which is really hard. There were a few mistakes which was unfortunate but you are a beautiful dancer.’ 

While Anton was slightly more optimistic as he praised their transitions into lifts, telling them: ‘Jowita never looked under any pressure at all… you are brilliant, well done.’ 

Craig was straightforward with his response, telling him: ‘I thought it was a little bit rocky and underwhelming if I’m honest. It did go a little bit wrong which took you off balance. It was classy and classic like yourself.’

Amazing: Meanwhile, Fleur East and Vito Coppola was on fine form on the night as they bagged a perfect score of 40 points for their sizzling Samba to Hot Hot Hot by Arrow

While Motsi said: There is a lot of pressure in the final, you did choose one of the most difficult dances to dance. Most importantly you showed us you are a human, you made a mistake and you went on. The most important thing is did you touch us, did you move us, did you bring us joy and you most certainly did.’

Meanwhile, after wowing everyone initially with the dance the first time around, Fleur and Vito were determined to impress once again on the big night.

And they certainly did just that as judge Craig Revel Horwood remarked: ‘I’m furious actually because I couldn’t find anything wrong with it!’

Motsi Mabuse was in agreement as she hailed Fleur as the Samba Queen and said she’d become ‘stronger’ in the competition, telling the X Factor star that they ‘smashed the dance’.

Difficult: After taking to the floor with their Quickstep routine to Let’s Face The Music And Dance by Irving Berlin, the pair struggled to pull off a flawless performance as they made a few mistakes

Observation:  Commenting on the dance, Shirley said: ‘It was the first time that I saw a little panic. It went wrong and it just took a few seconds, which I know felt for you like a lifetime, to get going.

Tough: Craig was straightforward with his response, telling him: ‘I thought it was a little bit rocky and underwhelming if I’m honest. It did go a little bit wrong which took you off balance. It was classy and classic like yourself’

An enthusiastic Shirley Ballas remarked: ‘I said after week eight, you’ve mastered your craft’, telling Fleur that she didn’t have a paddle ‘high enough’ to score her. 

While Anton Du Beke said it was ‘better’ the second time around and was ‘stunned’ they they perfected it in the amount of time they had. He added: ‘It was the best Samba we’ve ever seen on Strictly!’

Meanwhile, her competitors Hamza, Molly and Helen came close to getting the perfect score with their first dance of the evening, with the competitors bagging an impressive 39 points each. 

Hamza left both the judges and viewers thrilled as he and partner Jowita Pryzstal performed their sizzling Salsa to Ecuador by Sash! featuring Rodriguez once again. 

You go guys: After wowing everyone initially with the dance the first time around, Fleur and Vito were determined to impress once again on the big night

Thrilled: They certainly did just that as judge Craig Revel Horwood remarked: ‘I’m furious actually because I couldn’t find anything wrong with it!’

Yes! Fleur and Vito became the second couple in Strictly history to get a perfect core for the Samba

Shirley kicked off the comments, telling the couple: ‘I feel so overwhelmed and emotional, what a way to open the final 2022. Said he improved it and thanked them for their hard work.’

While Anton told them he laughs with joy when he watches Hamza dance, saying that there was a ‘freedom’ to the dance that there wasn’t before, adding: ‘You are joyous!’

Craig said he did the dance brilliantly, praising Hamza’s ‘armography’ and the ‘smooth as silk’ performance. 

Motsi meanwhile added that the first time they danced this, everyone didn’t know what was coming and said that while watching it the second time, they questioned if it will have the same effect, with Motsi concluding: ‘I love it more!’

Hamza and Jowita bagged a credible 39 points for their first dance. 

Good start:  Hamza left both the judges and viewers thrilled as he and partner Jowita Pryzstal performed their sizzling Salsa to Ecuador by Sash! featuring Rodriguez once again

Good stuff: Shirley kicked off the comments, telling the couple: ‘I feel so overwhelmed and emotional, what a way to open the final 2022. Said he improved it and thanked them for their hard work’

What a dance: While Anton told them he laughs with joy when he watches Hamza dance, saying that there was a ‘freedom’ to the dance that there wasn’t before, adding: ‘You are joyous!’

Molly and Carlos kicked off their bid to win the competition as they once again performed their Quickstep to Love On Top by Beyoncé at the request of the judges 

Commenting on the dance, Craig said: ‘There is a marked improvement. I can see you’ve been working really, really hard. I absolutely loved it.’ 

‘This is what quality looks like. Well done you!’ enthused Motsi, while Shirley remarked: ‘‘Molly you’ve really taken instruction well… for me that was absolutely superb, well done.’

Great job: Molly and Carlos kicked off their bid to win the competition as they once again performed their Quickstep to Love On Top by Beyoncé at the request of the judges

‘Loved it’: Commenting on the dance, Craig said: ‘There is a marked improvement. I can see you’ve been working really, really hard. I absolutely loved it’

Impressed: ‘This is what quality looks like. Well done you!’ enthused Motsi, while Shirley remarked: ‘ ‘Molly you’ve really taken instruction well… for me that was absolutely superb, well done’

The couple bagged three 10s and a 9, giving them an overall score for their first dance of 39 points. 

Meanwhile, Helen and Gorka set out to wow with their first dance, performing a Jive to Tightrope by Janelle Monáe.

Giving her verdict, Motsi said: ‘This routine is all about detail. Every movement, you got this under control. You were fabulous.’

While Shirley added: ‘I can tell that you are so comfortable in your own skin, what a huge improvement. No missteps at all but what you gained this time was your attitude… you absolutely deserve everything you get, well done.’

They’ve got the moves: Meanwhile, Helen and Gorka set out to wow with their first dance, performing a Jive to Tightrope by Janelle Monáe

Nice jobs: Praising the performance, Anton shared: ‘You had both styles of the Jive there and you did them both with great smoothness. I loved it’

Wow! Helen and Gorka’s Jove was full of flicks, kicks and tricks

Praising the performance, Anton shared: ‘You had both styles of the Jive there and you did them both with great smoothness. I loved it.’ 

Craig garnered a few boos as he then told them: ‘It could have done with a little bit more attraction. It was clean, it was precise and you danced it brilliantly.’

Saturday night’s final sees the four remaining contestants take on three routines each.

With Will Mellor and Nancy Xu having narrowly missed out on a place in the grand final, Fleur East, Hamza Yassin, Helen Skelton and Molly Rainford will battle it out alongside their partners to lift that coveted glitterball trophy.

And they’ve certainly got their work cut out as they’ve not only got the judges’ picks and their favourite dances of the series to perform, but their epic showdances too. 

As per usual, the judges will be able to score the performances, but their score won’t count in the final.

Exciting! The Strictly Come dancing 2022 final songs and dances have been revealed, with the remaining four couples set to take on three routines each (Hamza and Jowita pictured)

Instead, it will be the viewers votes that will determine the winner, so the contestants will no doubt be pulling out all the stops to impress.

Viewers will be in for a treat and they’ll get the chance to have another look at some memorable performances from this year’s series including Hamza and Jowita’s incredible Salsa to the song Ecuador. 

While fans will get to relive Fleur and Vito’s ‘Hot hot hot’ Samba’ and Helen and Gorka’s toe-taping Jive to Tightrope.

Fab four: Fleur East, Hamza Yassin, Helen Skelton and Molly Rainford  (pictured with Carlos Gu) will battle it out alongside their partners to lift that covered glitterball trophy

And while three of the four couple’s will be performing their Couple’s Choice dances as their favourite routines, Molly and Carlos will perform their Rumba to All The Man That I Need once again.

Ahead of the grand final, Helen closed the gap on bookies favourite Hamza as she was given a huge boost in the odds.

The TV presenter was given odds of 7/4 to lift the glitterball trophy, closing the gap on the wildlife cameraman who was still in front with 1/2. 

Performances: They’ve certainly got their work cut out as they’ve not only got the judges’ picks and their favourite dances of the series to perform, but their epic showdances too (pictured Fleur and Vito)

Show time: It will be the viewers votes that will determine the winner, so the contestants will no doubt be pulling out all the stops to impress

Elsewhere, it appears that both Molly and Fleur will have to dig deep to be crowned champion, with the CBeebies star tipped at 40/1, while the former X Factor favourite has odds of 66/1.

Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: “Hamza has led the betting for months, but the latest odds suggest he could just be pipped to the post by Helen this weekend 

It comes as Shirley Ballas has admitted sending home ‘superstar’ Will Mellor during the last week’s Strictly Come Dancing semi finals was tough.

Speaking on Friday’s This Morning the head judge, 62, said that it’s usually very clear who she should be sending home, however last week she struggled.

Will, 46, and Nancy, 31, were the latest to be axed from the Strictly dancefloor after going head-to-head against singer Fleur East, 35, and her professional partner Vito Coppola, 30, in the dance off. 

Host Alison Hammond, 47, and Dermot O’Leary, 49, failed to get the dancing queen to make any predictions about Saturday’s show, except saying it would be one of the ‘strongest ever’ finals. 

Shirley explained: ‘Normally when I have to send somebody home, I’m very clear and it’s very obvious when I have to send somebody home. But I have to say, this last week sending somebody home was very very difficult’.

She continued: ‘I thought the judges were going to agree on somebody and they didn’t, and it was it was left to me. It was very very difficult because [the contestants] have all tried so hard.’ 

Booted: Will and Nancy were the latest to be axed from the Strictly dance floor after going head-to-head against singer Fleur East, 35, and her professional partner Vito Coppola, 30, in the dance off

With Fleur, Helen Skelton, Hamza Yassin and Molly Rainford in the final, Shirley went on to describe actor Will as a ‘superstar in his own right’. 

The judge explained the judging process and what she will be keeping an eye out for on Saturday evening: ‘It is really small details and you know, you look at both couples and it becomes a preference at the end of the day’. 

She continued: ‘I’m weighing up these mistakes against these mistakes, these synchronicities against this… I have a whole list of things that perhaps the general public don’t see to come to my conclusion, which is never easy to do.’ 

Former X Factor host Dermot then asked if someone who wasn’t necessarily the best dancer but with ‘pizzaz’ may win – just like the ITV singing competition.

Shirley said: ‘Going into the final, it’ll be down to the general public but I have full faith that they will pick the right winner’. 

‘Everybody who’s made the final is a winner in their own right, I wouldn’t like to call it. The audience at home will have a voice and speak.’

Honest: Speaking on Friday’s This Morning the head judge, 62, said that it’s usually very clear who she should be sending home, however last week she struggled 

STRICTLY COME DANCING 2022: WHO ARE THE CONTESTANTS?

KYM MARSH

Age: 46

Profession: Coronation Street star and presenter

Kym says: ‘I’m so delighted that this year they have! I’m a huge fan of the show and can’t believe I’m going to go from watching at home in my pyjamas to actually dancing in front of the judges in a glittery dress.’

ELLIE SIMMONDS 

Age: 27

Profession: Former athlete 

Ellie says: ‘To be asked to be part of the Strictly family is just so exciting and I cannot wait, it’s going to so much fun.’

TYLER WEST 

Age: 26

Profession: Radio DJ

Tyler says: ‘It’s a show that means so much to me and my family and I can’t wait to seriously shake a leg on that shiny dance floor… with a side of sequins.’

ELLIE TAYLOR

 

Age: 38

Profession: Comedian

Ellie says: ‘Well, cover me in fake tan and roll me in sequins! I’m absolutely over the moon to be a part of Strictly 2022!’

TONY ADAMS MBE 

Age: 55 

Profession: Retired footballer and manager

Tony says:  ‘To say I’m excited is an understatement – the lure of the sequins and the call of the salsa has me swapping my battered old football boots for a set of Strictly soft shoes’

WILL MELLOR

Age: 46

Profession: Actor

Will says: ‘I know it will be a huge challenge but that’s what life is all about. This is also my Mum’s favourite show and she’s had a really tough few years so I’m doing this is for her as well. Bring it on!’

 MOLLY RAINFORD

 Age: 21

Profession: Singer 

Molly says: ‘I already know it’s gonna be an experience of a lifetime and I can’t wait to meet the rest of the Strictly family I’ll be sharing it with.’

FLEUR EAST

Age: 34 

Profession: Singer

Fleur says: ‘I’m equally nervous and thrilled to be part of this year’s Strictly line up. I’m excited to learn new skills and I want to soak up every moment of this magical experience.’

 HAMZA YASSIN

Age: 35

Profession: Wildlife cameraman and presenter

Hamza says: ‘I am absolutely over the moon to be joining Strictly 2022. Never in a million years did I think I’d be on such a cool show.’

HELEN SKELTON

Age: 39

Profession: TV and radio broadcaster

Helen says: ‘I’m really excited to get stuck into a fun adventure. My family and friends have always loved the show and can’t wait for me to get started’