Kristina tweeted a rehearsal video of a better version of the Samba. I thought that I should share it, incase anyone wants to see it.

https://m.facebook.com/video.php?v=747529125340326

Awww bless him, the rehearsal was much better. I've fallen in love with Sytina x

It's does. I have also fallen in love with Sytina!

This came up on my Facebook feed earlier - I enjoyed the footage but mostly I enjoyed Kristina's caption, "Such a strange day today ... Just watching our rehearsal videos with Simon (snip)"

So they are hanging out today watching their videos together?

Bet none of the other dance partnerships are...

Lol, I noticed that, as well.

Probably not.

You can read that two ways, she is with him when watching or she is watching herself dancing with Simon but he is not there. Either way, interesting that she has done that and nice of her to share.

How nice of Kristina to pass those messages on (there is also one from the two of them linked further down the page)

I have said before I wanted Simon to do this show for years, before he even did the Xmas special. I just thought somehow that he would be good (and it helps that he is a fellow Manc - I do tend to stick up for my own!) Once he did Xmas, I didn't know if he'd do the whole thing, so I was really pleased when he did. I wasn't sure how being paired with Kristina would go, seeing as he seemed to have great chemistry with Katya but she was no longer there (and anyway they have not always rematched specials couples back together - e.g. Harry was with Ola when he did his CIN special before being with Aliona in the main show). But it turned out to be a great partnership and I was delighted that they got to the final in spite of all the obstacles they faced to get there. Would have loved him to win, but happy he just made it to the end, and closed the show so brilliantly. I think Craig is right when he says that doing SCD will be a massive boost to Simon going forward.

Really loved Kristina and Simon - one of my favourite partnerships on strictly and I think it's really sweet that she tweeted her congratulations to Pasha in Russian even though I've no idea what she said

Thanks for the info on the Facebook link - really enjoyed it

Watched this yesterday and felt ultra sorry for Simon that it went wrong on the night. His technique is fantastic, the best male celeb samba imo. So disappointed him and Kristina didn't win. Caroline is a great dancer, no doubt, but Simon was the most improved and I think it is harder for a male celeb to make the dance look good as they have to show they are leading. The girls are lead by professional males, it makes a difference. I can only put their runners-up status to poor connection with the viewing public - it can't have been dance ability as that was great.

I just think they never really recovered from a bit of a bumpy start in that regard, Simon was self conscious at the outset and people mistook it for something else. Just glad that when it counted he got voted into the final, and to the top three.

Yes, good point. I was thrilled he got into the final 3, all my votes went to him

I agree. I'm so proud of Simon and Kristina! They did so well. I think that they will always be my favourite Strictly couple. Together, they were something special.

I think that Simon has benefited from doing the show, on a deeper level, perhaps more than the others.

They are my winners. I'm really looking forward to seeing them on the tour.