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Joe - Rose and Giovanni are 2021 strictly come dancing champions! What's a final.

Kim - We have just finished watching it. I don't think I've cried this much. Apart from my wedding! It was so emotional. It was outstanding. I've just been, you know, congratulating all the production team. They just blew it out the park. It was incredible.

Joe - It feels like just watching it even before they announced the winner. I had that feeling of kind of like, you feel it you've been on this journey with them. You feel like, oh, what am I going to do with my Saturdays now, we're going to do my Sundays now. It really is such a big part. When you follow it from the very start all the way to the end every week, it really does hit you this final.

Joe - They could play anything and it would get everyone emotional. I felt like they could say anything… tears!

Kim - Every single VT I was like ‘Oh no. Okay. I'm going to compose myself.’ It was outstanding. This is what they had to say, our winners:

Gio -Ìý You became the best, best dancer. The best team made for the dancefloor. You are a dream, Rose. You really are a dream. So thank you for everything. Thank you.

Rose - You are an incredible teacher, but not just that , but you are wonderful friend. And I just want you to know. No matter what happens, no matter how busy we are, you know, you all, we've got a piece of my heart.

Kim - Incredible winners and amazing for Giovanni, like Rose had said it, he was kind of always a bridesmaid, never the bride. Tonight. You're the bride.

Joe - Also, we've got to congratulate our runners up, John and Johannes. Once again, put in such a shift in that final, they danced their socks off. They were incredible.

They got tens, but unfortunately for them, it wasn't to be their night.

Kim - I got to catch up with them. And do you know what there was like a real. calmness in that dressing room. Ìý

CHEF AND PRESENTER JOHN WIATE AND HIS PARTNER JOHANNES RADEBE

Kim - How are you? This is the final. You have made it to 2021 strictly come dancing final! Can you believe it?

John - No, I can't believe it. I think if you told me that week one, I would've just been like, you're having a laugh, but I think it's just gone so quickly because each week we just had to think about the dance and the week itself. And before you know it, you’re here! And it just feels so, so weird and surreal.

Kim - Do you feel calm today?

John - It feels very calm. Very excited, really excited, actually, to do our last three dances, but also really sad. I'm sad that it's over. I think because we know this is the last weekend for us. We've had time to process the fact that it is the last time we'll get to dance together. Yeah, it just feels very sad.

Kim - Oh, well, look, this is also your last ever day in that dressing room, which I know has been your home for the past few months. Is there anything you're going to be taking away from that dressing room to take home?

John – Well the fixtures and fittings are heavily nailed down I'm afraid. So I can't quite, I might rate the wardrobe rails later and take a couple of shirts.

Couple of sparkly outfits. Um, but I think for me, that's taking away the most wonderful memories, you know, spending three months with Johannes has been just truly beautiful and I feel like a new me, really confident and happy with everything I've achieved. And the fact that we've represented as well has been such an honour and a great opportunity. So I think that will be one of the biggest lasting memories for me.

Kim - You have literally changed people's lives and whatever happens tonight, you can take that away with you. And I've got to say, you start dancing in the summer. We're now fully in winter. It is one week till Christmas. Have you done all your shopping?

John - I haven't bought a single present. I've bought jelly babies for my grandma, because every year I buy a three kilograms of jelly babies. So I've got those, but we're going to run off to Scotland on Monday, just me and Paul, my partner, but I've not got him anything I’ll have to steal another sparkly shirt!

Kim - Hello, finalist Johannes!

Johannes - Oh, my goodness. I'm so excited.

Kim - I can't believe it. I've known you since you started the show and I'm so excited that I can intro you as ‘Johannes The Finalist’! What has the series meant to you?

Johannes - You know, it has meant a great deal. Honestly, when we started, it's not like we knew that we were going to be in the final and do so well. But I think me and John just wanted to do this firstly for personal reasons and then to educate.

Kim - You've done that on more.

Johannes - Thank you, my darling. Visibility is everything, isn't it?

Kim - What are your plans for tomorrow? Your first Sunday of? Bath, movie, relaxing? All of the above?

Johannes - I am off to South Africa to go see my family. I haven't seen for over a year and four months.

Kim - They must be so excited for you just to get you home. And will your mum will be watching tonight

Johannes – Yes, but they’re a week late.

Kim - ÌýWell, she's still going to be happy with the semi-final.

Johannes – I know what you’re saying!

Kim - ÌýBest of luck for tonight. You are already a winner in my eyes! Thanks on behalf of everyone for doing the show.

John and Johannes – Thanks. I appreciate it very much. Thank You.

Ìý

***

Joe Sugg - Also, we cannot forget about AJ and Kai, who couldn't be part of the final due to a torn ligaments. Do you see her crutches were Strictlified? Of course, of course, they had to be glittered crushes.

Kim - Oh, your heart broke, sidn't it? For AJ?

Joe - Uh, so, so gutted when we found out on like Monday or Tuesday, that she’d injured herself, straight away I was like ‘oh no, this can't be happening all weeks as well. But unfortunately, they did have to bow out of the competition.

But, I did get to chat with them about their time on the show. And I just want to say so amazing how positive they were. They honestly were incredible.

AJ ODUDU AND HER PARTNER KAI WIDDERINGTON

AJ – Yes Joe! You alright?

Joe - ÌýAll right. How are you?

AJ - Babe! I’m in as high as spirits as I can be. I'm trying to just remain positive for my fellow dancers.

Joe - Honestly, I was so, so gutted when I saw the news, how was the ankle holding up?

AJ Ìý- It’s still bad and you know what, in a weird twisted way, I'm glad it’s still sore. It would have been too torturous for me to have a miraculous recovery today and be off the show.

Joe - I know exactly what you mean... if it starts to feel better, as the show starts, you're thinking ‘hang on a minute, this is now actually worse timing’! You’re a Strictly superfan – have you enjoyed your time on the show? Was it what you expected?

AJ - My Strictly journey's been everything I wished it would be and more I’ve learnt like so much.

I've got like the most amazing friendships with the entire cast this year, everyone behind the scenes, I've got like the best outfit I ever like I've experimented with all the makeup, all the hair. ÌýUm, and of course, like I've got this special unbreakable bond with Kai now as well. You know, we were just joking about all the incredible dances that I've had the opportunity to learn and, um, and perform, week in, week out in front of so many people and even when they've gone wrong, we've still been fun and it's still been good, you know…so I'm proud of everything that I achieved on that dance floor. And it's ironic really, because. We've always said we're going to treat every single dance like it was our last dance. And I’m proud I did that.

Joe - Have you taken away anything from this whole experience? Have you learned anything about yourself?

AJ - I'm really stubborn. Everyone's been like, oh, it's not looking too good. And I'm like, whoa, whoa, whoa. Wait a minute – I can move my toe it’s not over. ÌýI’m a real tryer – I’ll put everything into something even my right ankle.

I'll give it all. Um, so I've taken that away from it, but one of the most beautiful things I've taken from it, it's just. The spirit of community. Like, so this show, this experience has made me feel like everyone has just come together.

Not only my own friends and family, but people that Kai and I have never met and don't know they've been so beautiful with support messages and that sense of togetherness at a time when the world is so turbulent has just been the most beautiful thing. And in a way has restored my faith in humanity and so much good in the world, there is. And that is the positive that I am. I'm truly taken away from the whole experience.

Joe - ÌýIt does do that. Kai is your first year on the show and my word, what an impression you've made, how has it felt thrust into the world of Strictly. To do that well in the first year. Ìý

Kai - Like it hasn't quite sunk in yet. I think it will all kick in by the time this is over. And I'll be able to look back and go, wow, look what we've done, but we've already had some sort of reflection mode at the moment, but you know, just being partnered with AJ in general has just been like an absolute dream.

This girl came to me a complete novice, like she'd never danced in her life and looking at the progression she'd made over the 13 weeks. Unbelievable. And like, it was top, top of, with that quick step, she was moving around the floor, like a professional dancer. I felt like I was dancing with a professional.

And then, you know, we got our 40 in the end, you know, finally Craig got out at the ten paddle! But yeah, it was one of those moments where it's just, I think it'll kick in and sink in and everybody's sending us such lovely messages. Then, like, you know, you really should be proud of what you've done because you really have looked at even the dances that some of them weren't as good.

Like you've still left an amazing impression on the show. So I am aware of it and I'm, and I'm very proud of what we've done to get together.

Joe -Ìý Yeah. I can imagine your phones have been absolutely blowing up this week. Researching the anatomy of the foot, seeing how they can help! I am wishing you both, all the best looking forward to seeing you guys still there tonight as well.

Kai - We'll be there.

AJ – Honestly, I cannot wait to see John, Johannes, Rose and Giovanni light up that dance floor. They're incredible and we're such good friends now. Um, but I just can't wait to cheer them on albeit on one leg!

***

Kim – Do you know what? AJ is such an inspiration and yeah, she's got to just remember that she always will be a 2021 finalist.

Joe - From glitter ball to swing ball…. See, I did there?! I had a catch-up with Rose and Giovanni just before their final game of swing ball. Believe it or not, there's still playing it every week. Even the final!

ROSE AYLING-ELLIS AND HER PARTNER GIOVANNI PERNICE

Joe - Every week you play swing ball before the show. Will you be taking home the swing ball set as a reminder of what it was like in the dressing room?

Rose - ÌýYeah I will. I love swing ball. It’s just been such an entertaining thing to have in the dressing room. And honestly, it builds up your adrenaline as well.

Joe - Has there been a final game between you and Giovanni?

Rose – Well. He always loses. I always beat him. And he keeps wanting to play again but he’s never going to win.

Joe – Giovanni, how do you feel about that? You haven’t won a single game of swing ball?

Gio – No, I haven’t. But because I’m a gentleman I let her win.

Rose – He’s good at dancing but honestly, it’s surprising – he’s really terrible at swing ball!

Gio – Yeah, great!

Joe - ÌýWe found his Achilles’ heel – the regular sports! Rose what’s been the biggest surprise for you this series? Has anything in particular stood out for you?

Rose – I think the most surprising thing is how much you learn about yourself. It is dancing and it is a sport. There’s so much mental strength to do it and learning about what I’m like as a person. When it becomes difficult, I tend to run away. But I can’t run away in this situation. I have to face my problems. And then when I face it and get it right, that’s where I grow the most. That were you learn the most. And that’s where you get to the next level. And I think that’s a massive surprise because that’s definitely something I’m going to have in my everyday life. And how I’m going to approach life really.

Joe – Brilliant! Gio, how are you feeling about this. What final is this now for you?

Gio – Four! Final number four. Always the bridesmaid never the bride. I’m feeling ok I think – we have to just enjoy it and dance our socks off. The same thing we’ve done every single Saturday. In my eyes we’re already winners. But obviously winning the glitterball would be a cherry in the cake.

Joe – You seem so calm – has this series thought you anything?

Gio – It has! I think Rose has thought me a lot. She’s thought me that everything is achievable and that you can stay calm and be positive. Everything’s possible. It’s been a beautiful journey I have to say. Yeah I’m very grateful for that.

Joe – Good. And have you prepared a pep talk, sort of final speech ready for Rose before you go out tonight. Have you got anything planned?

Gio – I’ve done it already this morning!

Joe – What did you say?

Gio – That’s a secret! We did our band call and after the band call we said we’d realistically just go out and do exactly what we’re supposed to do.

Joe – What would you like to say to your fellow contestants – the class of 2021?

Rose – I would like to say thank you for being such a great bunch of people. That have been very supportive of each other – very encouraging – and just thank you for being so lovely the class of 2021!

Joe – and with that I wish you the best of luck

Rose and Gio – Thank you joe!

***

Joe –We are back on Christmas day, chatting to all the couples ahead of their dancing debut at 6:25 PM with our very final podcast of the year

Kim – Oh! I’m sad it’s all over!Ìý

Joe - I am gutted the podcast is over.

Kim - It has been such a laugh. Hasn't it?

Joe - We've got to wait a whole year now until we can go back up to Elstree again and see everyone like what's Billy getting up to? What do the judges do? Anyway!

Kim - For the penultimate time this year….

Kim and Joe – Keeeeeep….. listening!Ìý