What people seem to forget from the earlier series (when total voting numbers were announced) is that votes increase every week, with the bulk of the votes coming in the final. Also floating voters i.e. people who never voted or who voted for someone who got eliminated earlier tend to be swayed by the final dances and to a lesser extent, the judges' comments.

I wasn't expecting Ore to win as he'd been in the bottom 2 twice and no-one has ever won Strictly from that position, but Leicester won the league last season, Angelique Kerber and Andy Murray are number 1 in tennis, Brexit won, Trump won etc so this is just following the pattern of an unpredictable 2016!

I did watch it live and I agree with both your points

And Alesha ended up a judge on Strictly, before Darcey.

And Louis.

Rachel Stevens.

I bloody ADORED that pairing (I love Vincent). And some of their dances I still watch.

How true!

Yep, BBC box ticked - simple.

Same here.

Alesha and Louis were mixed race. Ore isn't. On a passport form he would tick black. They wouldn't. I guess that's what folk mean

I am not ashamed to admit I screamed when he won. Wish I'd taken Mactown's hint and stuck a tenner on him at 7/1!

For those mentioning Alesha and Louis - they are both mixed race, not black. One white parent and one black parent does not equal black. Ramps was also mixed race (one white parent, one Indian parent).

Agree, he was fantastic tonight. I think the Showdance won it for him.
As much as I loved Danny Mac, he messed up in the QS and I didn't understand the mirrors in the showdance although very, very good.
It's been proven time and time again that the best dancer doesn't always lift the glitter ball equally the celeb with the 'best/warmest' personality doesn't always win the title either. It's down to the GBP and they vote for who they enjoy.
I found Ore endearing and his partnership with Joanne was lovely and genuine. I thought they had a spark right from the start and I'm pleased he won.
The result is what it is, people should just accept it and not go all sour grapes.

It must have been quite close though with all four of them, because Ore would probably have got less public votes than the other three as recent as two weeks ago.

Len did talk him up a great deal and then gave him (and him alone) a standing ovation. We were been groomed to vote Ore

People do have short memories three black winners of Strictly.

Oh for God's sake. He won because he was the best on the night. Loads voted for him, myself included because he was great

Can't yous just be happy for someone achieving something? It's a dance show. And it's Christmas!

So Ore is the third Black celebrity to win Strictly

Oh i have forgotten Mark Ramprakash

Agreed. If you have wavy hair, do you have to either pick straight or afro on a form?

He was of mixed Indian and South American. So more Latino or Asian if you wish. Those hips told you where HE was from. Apart from Middlesex

I never thought he'd win after reading so much vile and nasty comments for weeks on end from Instagram, FB and here.

So happy

Amen to that!

I actually agree, but most people don't. We're forever being told that Obama was 'the first black president' and he too was of mixed heritage

Isn't that sort of lovely They're mixed race so 'don't count'. rolleyestoheaven.

I expect they'll say that Ore isn't really black because he's had some sort of white life or something.

I CBA with all the stupidity.

Me and you both Gelly

I think it's safe to assume Louise came 3rd in the vote?

Danny was trending online to make him win so he must have been 2nd close behind Ore.

I must admit to wanting Danny to win at the beginning of the show, just because he has been (IMHO) the best throughout the series.

Tonight though.... Ore and Joanne absolutely smashed it!

All three dances were absolutely superb, and he fully deserved it.... and so did Joanne.

But I must admit a sneaking satisfaction that the producers didn't get the Kevin win they have been angling for for 4 years...... now - PLEASE can he have a duffer next year to rehabilitate him with the public?

Thought Ore and Joanne were fantastic tonight. All three dances were wonderful.

Little disappointed in myself for not knowing my own mind and being brainwashed by the BBC fixing it for their employee to win...apparently.

All the flavours and so many choose 'salty'.

Bloody well done, Jo and Ore!