Strictly Come Dancing winners: all the celebs who have won the Glitterball

From Alesha Dixon to Kara Tointon, these are all the past Strictly Come Dancing winners...

Strictly Come Dancing winners

by Eden-Olivia Lord |
Updated on

Since the first series of Strictly Come Dancing aired all the way back in 2004 there have been almost too many winners to count.

Okay, there's been 21; but that is a hefty bunch of celebs to try and remember. From actors and sports stars to TV presenters and DJs, the Strictly glitter ball has been won by a wide range of famous faces.

Ahead of Strictly 2024, we've had a look back at all the past winners from series one's Natasha Kaplinsky to series 21's Ellie Leach.

Check out: All the former Strictly winners

Gallery

Strictly Come Dancing winners (stacked)

Natasha Kaplinsky1 of 21
CREDIT: BBC and Getty Images

Series 1 winner – Natasha Kaplinsky

BBC newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky was the first celebrity to dance her way to victory in the summer of 2004 with professional dancer Brendan Cole. She finished 39 points ahead of her fellow finalist Christopher Parker, and received the highest points for eight out of the 10 dances on the series. Since the competition, Natasha went on to have two children, Arlo and Angelica, and was awarded an OBE for her services to the Holocaust Commission. She continued her career in journalism leaving the BBC in 2008, before joining Channel 5 and then ITV.

Jill Halfpenny2 of 21
CREDIT: BBC and Getty Images

Series 2 – Jill Halfpenny

Also in 2004 (but this time in December) soap actress Jill Halfpenny became a Strictly champion alongside her dance partner Darren Bennett. Their jive was the first ever Strictly routine to score a full house of 40 points, so we're not surprised she went on to win. Jill was most well known for starring as Rebecca Hopkins in Coronation Street and Kate Mitchell in EastEnders. After Strictly she continued her acting career before stepping onto the West End, performing in plays such as Uncle Vanya and even Chicago. These days she's still acting.

Darren Gough3 of 21
CREDIT: BBC and Getty Images

Series 3 – Darren Gough

English cricketer Darren Dough stole the glitterball trophy from the likes of Zoe Ball and chef James Martin, despite never reaching the top of the Strictly leaderboard with his dance partner, Lilia Kopylova. The pair also went on to win the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special in 2005. Darren retired from his cricketing career in 2008. The following year he became a presenter on the sport radio station Talk Sport.

Mark Ramprakash4 of 21
CREDIT: BBC and Getty Images

Mark Ramprakash

You may remember England cricketer Mark Ramprakash was the first ever contestant to restart a routine on Strictly after his microphone got caught in his dance partner's dress. However despite the hiccup, they still received the highest score. He was the second cricketer to bowl through and take home the glitterball in 2006. The sportsman soon departed from playing on the cricket pitch to coaching on it instead, and became the batting coach for the England cricket team. He then departed this role in 2019.

Alesha Dixon5 of 21
CREDIT: BBC and Getty Images

Series 5 – Alesha Dixon

Former R&B singer Alesha Dixon lifted the glitterball in 2007 alongside her dance partner Matthew Cutler in what was a very close final, as she finished just two points ahead of actor Matt Di Angelo. Since her time on the dance floor, we've seen Alesha sit on the Strictly judging panel herself from 2009 to 2011, before leaving to judge on Britain's Got Talent, America's Got Talent and then Australia's Got Talent.

Tom Chambers6 of 21
CREDIT: BBC and Getty Images

Series 6 – Tom Chambers

Holby City and Casualty actor Tom Chambers' Strictly win alongside Camilla Dallerup became somewhat controversial, as despite scoring the lowest of the three finalists the public still made him their winner. Tom clearly enjoyed his time on the dance floor, as he starred in a stage version of the musical Top Hat, before returning for two Strictly Christmas Specials in 2008 and 2015.

Chris Hollins7 of 21
CREDIT: BBC and Getty Images

Series 7 – Chris Hollins

Ola Jordan helped breakfast presenter Chris Hollins dance his way to victory in 2009. After the show he continued with his presenting career at the BBC for various shows including The Rescues, Cash In The Attic, and The Food Inspectors. He is also a presenter for BT Sport Live.

Kara Tointon8 of 21
CREDIT: BBC and Getty Images

Series 8 – Kara Tointon

It wasn't just the glitter ball that EastEnders star Kara Tointon left with at the end of her time on Strictly, but a new love with her professional dance partner Artem Chigvintsev. The pair even celebrated their win with a kiss. Since Strictly, Kara continued a successful acting career taking to the stage too. Her most notable role was playing Eliza Doolittle in Pygmalion in the West End and the ITV live production of The Sound of Music, where she played Maria. Sadly, Kara and Artem's Strictly romance didn't last and the couple decided to part ways in 2014.

Harry Judd9 of 21
CREDIT: BBC and Getty Images

Series 9 – Harry Judd

McFly drummer Harry Judd stole the winning spot in series 9 with professional dancer Aliona Vilani, beating fellow finalists Chelsee Healey and Jason Donovan. Harry fought hard to take the winning spot and didn't top the leaderboard until week 7, but from then on he received high 30s throughout the rest of the competition. Since Strictly, Harry returned to the band McFly and released new music with them in 2020. More recently he welcomed baby number three into the world with his wife, Izzy Judd.

Louis Smith10 of 21
CREDIT: BBC and Getty Images

Series 10 – Louis Smith

Louis Smith took home bronze and glitter in 2012 after his success at the 2012 Olympics and on the Strictly dance floor, with dance partner Flavia Cacace. In the final he danced against Denise Van Outen and Kimberley Walsh, receiving the lowest score from the judges but it didn't matter, as the British public voted for him to be their winner. Louis continued to represent Great Britain in the Olympics before retiring and swapping gymnastics for the theatre. He even continued doing some dancing too and took part in The Masked Dancer which he won.

Abbey Clancy11 of 21
CREDIT: BBC and Getty Images

Series 11 – Abbey Clancy

Abbey Clancy and Aljaž Škorjanec's routine regularly stole the show, so we weren't surprised when the pair were crowned the Strictly winners in 2013. After the show Abbey went on to become a judge on Britain's Next Top Model and welcomed her fourth child with husband Peter Crouch in 2019.

Caroline Flack12 of 21
CREDIT: BBC and Getty Images

Series 12 – Caroline Flack

Caroline Flack and partner Pasha Kovalev became the first and still are the only Strictly couple to receive 40 points for all three dances in the final. Caroline continued a successful TV career after the show, presenting on the X-Factor alongside Olly Murs and on Love Island. Sadly, Caroline took her own life in February 2020.

Jay McGuiness13 of 21
CREDIT: BBC and Getty Images

Series 13 – Jay McGuiness

Jay McGuiness was one of four members from boy band The Wanted and won with partner Aliona Vilani. The singer credited much of his success to his dance partner and on winning told her, "You deserve it so much, you really do." He has since performed in the West End.

Ore Oduba14 of 21
CREDIT: BBC and Shutterstock / Rex

Series 14 - Ore Oduba

TV and radio presenter Ore Oduba was known for wearing his heart on his sleeve throughout the competition, regularly getting emotional throughout the series. But he shed tears of joy after beating Louise Redknapp and Hollyoaks' Danny Mac, which saw him take home the glitter trophy. In 2019 he began his musical theatre career, starring in the UK Tour of Grease and made his West End debut in January 2020.

Joe McFadden15 of 21
CREDIT: BBC and Shutterstock / Rex

Series 15 - Joe McFadden

Joe McFadden was the second Holby City actor to win Strictly with partner Katya Jones. He may not have been a natural dancer at the start, but he certainly came out on top beating Alexandra Burke, Debbie McGee and Gemma Atkinson in the final. After Strictly he performed in the UK tour of Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert.

Stacey Dooley16 of 21
CREDIT: Getty Images

Series 16 - Stacey Dooley

Journalist and broadcaster Stacey Dooley beat show favourite, Joe Sugg, with her dance partner Kevin Clifton. Months after the show ended Stacey split from her ex-boyfriend who branded Kevin a 'rat'. Stacey and Kevin have been together since 2019 and have welcomed their daughter Minnie into the world. Stacey has also continued to make documentaries, appeared on Glow Up and co-presented DNA Family Secrets with Turi King.

Kelvin Fletcher17 of 21
CREDIT: u00a9 BBC Pictures

Series 17 - Kelvin Fletcher

Despite entering as a replacement for reality TV star Jamie Laing who injured his foot, former Emmerdale actor Kelvin stole the show and came out on top with his dance partner Oti Mabuse. Kelvin is a self-confessed 'petrol head' and has taken part in many motorsport races, including the British GT Championships.

Bill Bailey18 of 21
CREDIT: u00a9 BBC Pictures

Series 18 - Bill Bailey

Bill Bailey blew everyone's socks off and became the oldest contestant in Strictly history to take home the glitterball trophy. It was a big moment for his partner Oti Mabuse too, as their victory marked her second win. Bill's back to doing what he loves best, which is making everyone laugh.

Rose Ayling-Ellis19 of 21
CREDIT: u00a9 BBC Pictures

Series 19 - Rose Ayling-Ellis

EastEnders star Rose Ayling-Ellis, who was the first ever deaf contestant to take part in Strictly, and her professional dancer Giovanni Pernice beat GBBO star John Whaite and Johannes Radebe for the Glitterball after a tense 2021 finale. She's since signed a bedtime story on CBeebies and will star in ITV's drama Code of Silence.

Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystal20 of 21
CREDIT: Photo by Cameron Smith/Getty Images

Series 20 - Hamza Yassin

Wildlife cameraman and presenter Hamza Yassin won alongside Jowita Przystal in Strictly 2022, beating Helen Skelton, Molly Rainford and Fleur East who were runners up. Since winning the show, Hamza has gone back to working within wildlife and released a birdwatching book in 2023 called, 'Be a Birder: The joy of birdwatching and how to get started.'

ellie leach and vito coppola posing ahead of strictly 202321 of 21
CREDIT: Getty Images: Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images

Series 21 - Ellie Leach

Ellie Leach won series 21 alongside Strictly pro Vito Coppola beating Bobby Brazier and Layton Williams. After winning the show there were reports that she was dating her co-star Bobby, although they never commented on the rumours and she's set to star in the theatre show Cluedo 2.

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