Kara Queen of “Strictly”

Posted on December 20, 2010

Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev were the winners of this year’s “Strictly Come Dancing”.

The former “EastEnders” actress has been a strong contender all through this series, dancing with poise, attack and wonderful lines. In the first show of the final, Kara and Artem’s rumba and showdance scored 39 and 36 from the judges. Judge Bruno Tonioli said that their rumba had “hypnotic beauty. It was stunning.” Craig Revel Horwood, the only judge to give a less than perfect score for the rumba, said “Bruno is absolutely right. But there was an illegal lift in there – the foot should remain on the floor at all times.”

Kara and Artem’s scores put them slightly behind Pamela Stephenson and James Jordan, who topped the leaderboard with scores of 40 and 37 for their Viennese waltz and showdance. However, the viewers’ votes knocked Pamela and James out, putting Kara and Artem against Matt Baker and Aliona Vilani in the last show of the series.

This time, Kara and Artem, who danced the waltz and the American smooth, won with the judges and the viewers. “It’s the most special thing that I have ever achieved,” said Kara, thanking Artem, “who has been absolutely wonderful. I’m a bit embarrassed but I’ve made the most fantastic friends for life.” Artem said, “Thank you Kara, you’re amazing.”

Zoe Anderson

Zoë was born in Edinburgh, and saw her first dance performances at the Festival there. She is the dance critic of The Independent, and has also written for The Independent on Sunday, The Scotsman and Dancing Times. In 2002, she received her doctorate from the University of York for a thesis on “Nationhood and epic romance: Ariosto, Sidney, Spenser”. She is the author of The Royal Ballet: 75 Years and The Ballet Lover’s Companion.