The Strictly Come Dancing 2022 finale was watched by an average of 9.2 million viewers, based on overnight ratings.
This was a drop in viewing figures from the 2021 live final, when Rose Ayling-Ellis and her dance partner Giovanni Pernice won, which was viewed by an average of 11 million.
Saturday marked the series finale, with a peak audience of 9.6 million tuning in to watch Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystal lift the Glitterball Trophy as they were crowned the winners.
Immersion: The Strictly Come Dancing 2022 finale was watched by an average of 9.2 million viewers, according to overnight ratings, a drop from viewing figures for the 2021 live finale
Viewing numbers also dropped for the show’s launch episode on the series’ star, in which celebrity contestants were paired up with their professional partners.
It was watched by an average of 5.4 million viewers, with a peak audience of 5.6 million.
While last year’s series launch received an average of 7.0 million viewers, peaking at 7.3 million.
Winners: Saturday marked the series finale, with a peak audience of 9.6 million tuning in to watch Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystal lift the Glitterball Trophy as they were crowned the winners.
Hamza battled stiff competition from fellow contestants Fleur East, Helen Skelton and Molly Rainford when hosts Tess and Claudia Winkleman announced him as the champion on Saturday.
Hamza and Jowita’s victory comes despite the pair falling to the bottom of the leaderboard, not thanks to their Showdance, which was previously rated “disappointing” by Craig Revel Horwood.
Speaking after his victory, an emotional Hamza said: ‘Words cannot describe how I feel. I want to thank one person in particular: Jowita, you are an angel disguised as a human being. That’s what you are, you’re amazing.
Thank you all for voting for us. This is the best thing that has ever happened to me.
Congratulations: The 32-year-old wildlife videographer battled against stiff competition from fellow competitors Fleur East, Helen Skelton and Molly Rainford when hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announced him the champion
He went on to share inspiring words a choreographer once said to him, with Hamza saying: ‘One, surround yourself with people whose eyes light up when they see you walk in.
‘Two, the top of one mountain is the bottom of another, so keep going up. And three, slow is the fastest way to get to where you want to be.
While Jowita shared: ‘Anything is possible and he is just proof that anything is possible. He came here on the show with no dance experience, pigeon fingers! And he did it. He worked hard and got it done, and I’m so proud of you.
She added: “I would love to thank everyone, they are amazing.”
Giving It All: For their final dance of the night, Hamza and Jowita performed their partner’s chosen dance from Jerusalema – Master KG Remix featuring Burna Boy and Nomcebo Zikode.
Early on in the show, things got very emotional for Hamza Yassin when he finally scored his first perfect score for his last dance of the season with Jowita Przystal – his first score of 40.
For their final dance of the night, Hamza and Jowita performed the couple’s chosen dance from Jerusalema – Master KG Remix with Burna Boy and Nomcebo Zikode.
And after their disappointing Showdance, the two were determined to end their Strictly experience with a bang.
Go for it! And after their disappointing Showdance, the two were determined to end their Strictly experience with a bang.
And they did just that, as they had everyone on their feet with their exciting routine, and things got a bit teary during commentary as the judges praised their incredible progress.
Shirley told the couple: ‘Take a moment, take it, you are what I call the real competitor… We are going to miss you, you are a star in your own right. Jowita, you are simply beautiful. What a wonderful association.
As Anton fought back tears as he said: ‘I get a little emotional watching you dance because it’s like the clouds part and the sun comes out. I have seen many people dance in my life and I have found great joy in seeing you.’
Difficult: It comes after the Showdance didn’t go as planned, as after taking the floor with their Quickstep routine from Irving Berlin’s Let’s Face The Music And Dance, the pair struggled to put on a flawless performance as they made a few mistakes.
Craig then brought out his humorous side when he told Hamza, “You’re everything I’m not.” You spread joy to everyone.
While Motsi added: “I’m going to try not to cry in the final but you broke me… You spread joy, you made us forget just for a thousandth of a second.” Whatever happens tonight, I want to thank you for that joy.
It comes after the Showdance didn’t go as planned, as after taking the floor with their Quickstep routine from Irving Berlin’s Let’s Face The Music And Dance, the pair struggled to put on a flawless performance as they made a few mistakes.
Commenting on the dance, Shirley said, “It was the first time I’d ever seen a bit of a panic.” It went wrong and it only took a few seconds, which I know felt like a lifetime, to get going. I applaud you for that big push at the end which is really hard. There were a few bugs that were unfortunate, but you are a beautiful dancer.
Observation: Commenting on the dance, Shirley said: ‘It was the first time I saw a bit of a panic. It went wrong and it only took a few seconds, which I know felt like a lifetime, to get going.
While Anton was a little more upbeat when he praised their transitions to the lifts, telling them: “Jowita never came under any pressure at all…you’re brilliant, well done.”
Craig was direct with his response, telling him, “I thought it was a bit difficult and disappointing to be honest.” It went a little wrong, causing you to lose your balance. It was classy and classic just like you.
While Motsi said: There is a lot of pressure in the final, you chose one of the most difficult dances to dance. The most important thing is that you showed us that you are a human being, you made a mistake and you continued. The most important thing is if you touched us, moved us, brought us joy and you certainly did.’
Meanwhile, Hamza and Jowita’s first dance of the night proved somewhat more successful, with the pair leaving judges and audience alike emotional as they performed their sizzling Salsa to Ecuador by Sash. with Rodriguez once again.
Brilliant: On the other hand, despite not winning the trophy, it was a great night for Fleur East and Vito Coppola, as they scored not one, but two perfect 40-point scores on the night with their Samba (pictured) and the mate selection routine.
Good job: Molly and Carlos kicked off their bid to win the competition when they once again performed their Beyoncé Quickstep to Love On Top at the judges’ request.
They’ve got the moves: Finally, Helen and Gorka set out to dazzle with their first dance, performing a Janelle Monáe Jive to Tightrope.
Shirley kicked off the comments, telling the pair: “I feel so overwhelmed and excited, what a way to open the 2022 final. She said she made it better and thanked them for their hard work.”
While Anton tells them that he laughs with joy when he sees Hamza dance, he says there was a ‘freedom’ to the dance that there wasn’t before, adding: ‘You’re happy!’
Craig said she did the dance brilliantly, praising Hamza’s ‘harmography’ and the ‘silky smooth’ performance.
Meanwhile, Motsi added that the first time they danced to this, everyone didn’t know what was coming and said that as they looked at it a second time, they wondered if it would have the same effect, and Motsi concluded: ‘I love it more!’
Hamza and Jowita scored a credible 39 points in their first dance.