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'Strictly Come Dancing' Christmas Special 2017 Crowns Katie Derham Champion

'Strictly' really is now over for another year 😭
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By 

Entertainment Editor, HuffPost UK

Katie Derham has been crowned the surprise winner of the ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ Christmas special 2017. 

The former newsreader and BBC Radio 3 presenter lifted the Christmas Trophy after returning to the ballroom two years after she reached the final. 

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Katie Derham and Brendan Cole have won the 2017 'Strictly' Christmas special
BBC

Partnered with Brendan Cole, the pair impressed the judges with their routine to Viennese Waltz to ‘White Christmas’ by Otis Redding, scoring 37 points out of a possible 40. 

They fought off competition from fellow returning stars Judy Murray, Kimberley Walsh, Colin Jackson, Robbie Savage and Jeremy Vine. 

Their win came despite the fact former Girls Aloud star Kimberley, who was reunited with original partner Pasha Kovalev, actually topped the leader board.

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Kimberley Walsh and Pasha Kovalev topped the leader board
BBC

The couple, who reached the final together in 2012, picked up 39 points from the judges for their Jive to ‘Run Run Rudolph’ by Kelly Clarkson. 

The winner was decided after the judges’ scores were combined with the vote from the studio audience, compared to the usual viewer vote, given the show was pre-recorded. 

Katie was clearly shocked to have won the special, and told hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman: “Oh my goodness, I’m so stunned! I thought any of these gorgeous people were going to win, not us. This is brilliant. It feels fantastic, it really does!”

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Judy Murray's Charleston earned her highest-ever score
BBC

The festive edition also proved to be extra special for - how do we put this? - less gifted dancers Judy Murray and Jeremy Vine, who both received their highest scores ever (31/40) for their Christmas routines. 

However, something tells us the judges were feeling in a generous mood as they dished out a number of eights for both routines. 

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Jeremy Vine was reunited with his partner Karen Clifton
BBC

There was also a musical performance from the Kaiser Chiefs as well as a spectacular group number, set to Elton John’s hit ‘Step Into Christmas’.  

The Christmas special aired just days after the final of the most recent series, which crowned Joe McFadden and partner Katya Jones the winning couple. 

‘Strictly Come Dancing’ returns to BBC One in the autumn.  

'Strictly Come Dancing': All The Winners
Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole(01 of16)
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Newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky was the first star to ever triumph in the inaugural series of 'Strictly Come Dancing', back in 2004, when there were just seven competitors to beat.Having obviously been a hit with 'Strictly' viewers, she was later chosen to cover for regular presenter Tess Daly, when she went on maternity leave. (credit:BBC)
Jill Halfpenny and Darren Bennet(02 of16)
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Clearly sensing they were onto a winner, the BBC decided to kick-start the second series of 'Strictly' just three months after Natasha Kaplinsky's victory, securing its spot in the Saturday night schedule in the latter half of the year.Jill Halfpenny was crowned winner second time around, along with her partner, Darren Bennet. (credit:PA/PA Archive)
Darren Gough and Lilia Kopylova(03 of16)
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Darren became the first male celebrity to triumph in the 'Strictly Come Dancing' final in 2005, beating Colin Jackson and eventual 'It Takes Two' presenter Zoe Ball in the process. (credit:Michael Boyd/PA Archive)
Mark Ramprakash and Karen Hardy(04 of16)
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Cricket player Mark Ramprakash took home the glitter-ball trophy a year later.Here he is performing with his professional partner, Karen Hardy, at the BBC Sports Personality Of The Year Awards a year after his victory. (credit:David Davies/PA Archive)
Alesha Dixon and Matthew Cutler(05 of16)
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'Strictly' helped breathe new life into Alesha's career, when she and partner Matthew Cutler were crowned winners.Her smash hit solo single 'The Boy Does Nothing' followed soon after, not to mention a spot on the 'Strictly' judging panel... until Simon Cowell decided to snare her for 'BGT', that is. (credit:BBC)
Tom Chambers and Camilla Dallerup(06 of16)
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'Holby City' actor Tom Chambers' public profile skyrocketed, when he and his professional partner, Camilla Dallerup, were crowned winners of the sixth series.They beat TV presenter Lisa Snowdon and 'Negotiate With Love' singer Rachel Stevens in the live final, back in 2008. (credit:Mark Cuthbert via Getty Images)
Chris Hollins and Ola Jordan(07 of16)
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Chris Hollins gave professional dancer Ola Jordan her first, and so far only, win back in 2010. (credit:BBC)
Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev(08 of16)
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Kara and Artem had a double victory in 2010.Shortly after taking home the glitter-ball trophy, they announced that they were dating. (credit:Rowan Miles/PA Archive)
Harry Judd and Aliona Vilani(09 of16)
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Can we please just take a moment to appreciate this photo? (credit:David Jones/PA Archive)
Louis Smith and Flavia Cacace(10 of16)
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The tenth series was won by Olympian Louis Smith and his professional partner, Flavia Cacace. (credit:Georgie Gillard/Associated Newspapers/REX)
Abbey Clancy and Aljaž Skorjanec(11 of16)
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In the first ever all-female 'Strictly' final, Abbey beat Susanna Reid and Natalie Gumede to the glitter-ball trophy.Fourth place was also a female contestant, with Sophie Ellis-Bextor leaving the competition at the semi-final stage. (credit:Rui Vieira/PA Archive)
Caroline Flack and Pasha Kovalev(12 of16)
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Caroline Flack, who took part in the competition less than a year after leaving 'X Factor' spin-off show, 'Xtra Factor'. Apparently sensing her popularity was on the rise, Simon Cowell quickly signed her up to host the main show, alongside Olly Murs. (credit:BBC)
Jay McGuiness and Aliona Vilani(13 of16)
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When the 2015 contestants were first announced, no one would have tipped Jay for victory, particularly after he continuously played down his dancing abilities.

Cut to a couple of months later, though, and that Glitter-ball trophy was his. (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
Ore Oduba and Joanne Clifton(14 of16)
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TV presenter Ore Oduba beat off stiff competition from 'Hollyoaks' star Danny Mac who was hot favourite to lift the glitterball trophy in 2016. (credit:PA Archive/PA Images)
Joe McFadden and Katya Jones(15 of16)
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'Holby City' actor Joe was the dark horse of the competition, rising through the ranks as the weeks went on to triumph over Alexandra Burke, Debbie McGee and Gemma Atkinson in the 2017 final. (credit:PA Wire/PA Images)
Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton(16 of16)
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Stacey and Kevin were the surprise winners of the 2018 series, triumphing over other finalists Ashley Roberts, Faye Tozer and Joe Sugg. The pair later went on to begin a relationship. (credit:Aaron Chown - PA Images via Getty Images)
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