Rufus Hound triumphs in Strictly Christmas special

Flavia Cacace and Rufus Hound with heir trophy.

The funnyman and stage star beat the likes of DJ Sara Cox and Saturdays singer Rochelle Hulmes to lift this year’s trophy for his tango with partner Flavia Cacace.

Hound previously won the BBC1 series Let’s Dance For Sport Relief in 2010.

Cacace was the partner of Louis Smith when he was the victor in last year’s Strictly series but she did not take part in the 2013 run of the show which ended on Saturday.

Elaine Paige topped the voting with the judging panel in the one-off festive Strictly show for her cha cha cha with Pasha Kovalev to Jingle Bells.

But when it went to the audience vote, Hound stepped out in front for his performance to Never Do A Tango With An Eskimo.

He and Cacace drew 38 from the judges while Paige and Kovalev took a near-perfect 39.

Surprised winner Hound said: “It’s surreal in the extreme. We didn’t really set out to win, the fact that it’s happened I don’t know what it means. I think if I had more of a taste for the ballroom, they’d be serving it in a burger!”

And he told his dance partner: “You came into this as the reigning champion so you were putting a lot on the line to dance with me, and have been spectacular all the way through.”

Also taking part were former Bros frontman Matt Goss and EastEnders’ Ricky Norwood.

Guests on the show included young choirboy Jack Topping who performed his single Tomorrow.