Kelvin Fletcher and his professional partner Oti Mabuse won Strictly Come Dancing 2019, taking home the Glitterball Trophy during the grand finale on December 14, 2019. Kelvin, a former Emmerdale actor, was a late addition to the cast, replacing reality star Jamie Laing after he suffered a foot injury during the pre-recorded launch show. Kelvin and Oti secured their victory after competing in the final against fellow contestants Karim Zeroual (paired with Amy Dowden) and Emma Barton (paired with Anton Du Beke). The 2019 season, which was the seventeenth series of the BBC’s flagship dance competition, remains one of the most highly-rated in the show’s history, characterized by Kelvin’s technical precision in Latin dance and Oti’s inventive choreography.
The 2019 Winning Couple
Kelvin Fletcher’s journey to the trophy is considered one of the most impressive “underdog” stories in the show’s history due to his last-minute entry.
Kelvin Fletcher and Oti Mabuse
Kelvin joined the show with only two weeks of training before the first live broadcast. Despite the short notice, his Samba in Week 1 earned 32 points, the highest opening-week score for a Samba in the show’s history. Oti Mabuse’s choreography leveraged Kelvin’s natural athleticism, eventually leading to their victory and making Oti the first professional to win the UK show two years in a row (later achieved in 2020).
Technical Highlights
Throughout the season, Kelvin and Oti were praised for their “muscularity” and rhythm, particularly in their Rumba and Jive. They reached the final with a consistently high average score, never falling into the bottom two “dance-off” throughout the entire eleven-week competition.
The Series 17 Finalists
The 2019 final featured three couples, each representing a different style of progression throughout the competition.
Karim Zeroual and Amy Dowden
Karim, a CBBC presenter, was the technical powerhouse of the season. He and Amy Dowden earned the first perfect 40 of the series for their Jive during the Blackpool special. Although they finished as runners-up, Karim held the highest average score of the series.
Emma Barton and Anton Du Beke
EastEnders actress Emma Barton provided professional partner Anton Du Beke with his first legitimate chance at a trophy in several years. Their elegant Ballroom routines were a hit with the public, particularly their Viennese Waltz, which helped them secure a spot in the final three.
The 2019 Judging Panel
Series 17 saw a significant change to the expert panel following the departure of long-standing judge Darcey Bussell.
The Debut of Motsi Mabuse
Motsi Mabuse, the sister of professional dancer Oti, joined the panel in 2019 alongside Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, and Bruno Tonioli. Her high energy and technical background from the German version of the show (Let’s Dance) provided a fresh dynamic to the UK series.
Scoring Trends in 2019
The 2019 season was noted for its “strict” early scoring by Craig Revel Horwood, while Shirley Ballas focused heavily on technical footwork. By the time the show reached the Blackpool Tower Ballroom, the scores surged, reflecting the exceptionally high standard of the remaining celebrities.
Weekly Elimination Results
The 2019 season followed a traditional elimination format where the bottom two couples based on combined scores and public votes faced a dance-off.
Early Departures
The first celebrity to be eliminated in 2019 was Olympic rower James Cracknell. Other early exits included television presenter Anneka Rice and footballer David James, who struggled to adapt to the more technical Latin requirements of the show.
Mid-Season Surprises
The mid-season was marked by the shock elimination of Catherine Tyldesley and the withdrawal of Will Bayley due to a knee injury sustained during rehearsals. Dev Griffin’s early exit in Week 4 also caused significant public outcry, as he had been a favorite to reach the later stages of the competition.
Practical Information and Results Table
For fans looking for the definitive factual stats of the 2019 series, the following data summarizes the season’s rankings.
Full Contestant Rankings 2019
| Placement | Celebrity | Professional Partner |
| Winner | Kelvin Fletcher | Oti Mabuse |
| Runner-up | Karim Zeroual | Amy Dowden |
| Runner-up | Emma Barton | Anton Du Beke |
| 4th Place | Chris Ramsey | Karen Hauer |
| 5th Place | Alex Scott | Neil Jones |
| 6th Place | Saffron Barker | AJ Pritchard |
| 7th Place | Michelle Visage | Giovanni Pernice |
| 8th Place | Mike Bushell | Katya Jones |
Venue and Production
Main Studio: Elstree Studios, Borehamwood.
Blackpool Special: The Blackpool Tower Ballroom (Week 9).
Launch Date: September 7, 2019.
Grand Finale Date: December 14, 2019.
The Blackpool Special 2019
The trip to the North West is the most coveted milestone for every Strictly contestant, and 2019 offered several standout moments.
The First Perfect 40
Karim Zeroual and Amy Dowden made history in Blackpool by receiving a perfect 40 for their Jive to “You Can’t Stop the Beat.” The performance is often cited by judges as one of the best “high-energy” routines in the show’s history.
Atmosphere and Scale
The 2019 Blackpool special featured a cast of extra professional dancers and a live audience of nearly 1,000 people. Kelvin Fletcher’s Jive to “Jailhouse Rock” also earned near-perfect scores, cementing the Blackpool episode as the turning point for the eventual winners.
FAQs
Who won Strictly Come Dancing 2019?
The winners were Kelvin Fletcher and his partner Oti Mabuse.
Who were the three finalists in 2019?
The finalists were Kelvin Fletcher, Karim Zeroual, and Emma Barton.
Was Jamie Laing in the 2019 series?
Jamie Laing was originally cast but had to withdraw due to injury before the live shows began; he was replaced by Kelvin Fletcher.
Did Anton Du Beke win in 2019?
No, Anton finished as a runner-up with partner Emma Barton, though it was his highest-ever placement at the time.
Who joined the judging panel in 2019?
Motsi Mabuse joined the panel as a replacement for Darcey Bussell.
What was Kelvin Fletcher’s highest score?
Kelvin achieved perfect 40s for several dances, including his Quickstep and his “Choice” routine in the final.
Why did Will Bayley leave Strictly 2019?
The Paralympic table tennis star had to withdraw after Week 6 after suffering a serious knee injury during a jump in rehearsals.
Which professional dancer won with Kelvin Fletcher?
Oti Mabuse won the trophy, her first of two consecutive wins.
Where was the Strictly 2019 final filmed?
The final was filmed live at Elstree Studios in Borehamwood.
What was the theme for Week 3?
Week 3 was the annual Movie Week, where Kelvin Fletcher famously performed an American Smooth to “Gaston” from Beauty and the Beast.
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