Oti Mabuse has hailed Jowita Przystal as the ‘greatest dancer’ after making history as the first strictly professional to win in her first year.
On Saturday night, the 28-year-old Polish native celebrated the Glitterball Trophy with her famous dance partner Hamza Yassin after battling stiff competition from fellow competitors Fleur East, Helen Skelton and Molly Rainford.
And former Strictly Come Dancing pro and two-time winner Oti Mabuse celebrated Jowita’s win, admitting she “can’t stop crying” and sending a “girl power” message to the rookie.
Congratulations! Oti Mabuse has hailed Jowita Przystal as the ‘greatest dancer’ after making history as the first strictly professional to win in her first year.
Writing in a post to her 653,000 Instagram followers, Oti, 32, said: ‘SHE IS STRICTLY THE BEST DANCER!!!!!
‘@jowitaprzystal has made history never ever in the history of strictly has a FEMALE PRO in her first year WON the show!
‘VERY PROUD SÍSSSSSS QUEEN JOWITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA (can’t stop crying).
Congratulations @hamzayassin90, a big congratulations to you, your family and Africa!!! You two are spectacular just out of this world ⭐️…’
Celebrations: Oti, a former Strictly Come Dancing pro and two-time winner, celebrated Jowita’s win, admitting she “can’t stop crying” and sending a “girl power” message to the rookie after the Polish native, from 28 years old, will celebrate the Glitterball Trophy with Hamza Yassin
She then posted a snapshot of Jowita to her stories with the caption: ‘QUEEEEEEN Jowita – STORY’.
A friend shared the moment with Oti via FaceTime as they watched the final moments of series 20 of Strictly unfold, with Oti adding: “The way I screamed.”
Oti previously won the Glitterball Trophy twice in his fifth and sixth years on the show, with actor Kelvin Fletcher in 2019 and comedian Bill Bailey in 2020.
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.
Very pleased: A friend shared the moment with Oti via FaceTime as they watched the final moments of series 20 of Strictly, with Oti adding: “The way I screamed.”
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.
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.
Strictly Come Dancing FINAL 2022: Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystal are crowned WINNERS after defeating Fleur East, Helen Skelton and Molly Rainford in a fast-paced final
‘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.”
They did it! 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.
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
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.
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.’
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.