There have been many highlights throughout the series of this year’s Strictly. But here are our favourites.

Goodbye Sir Bruce, hello Claudia Winkleman

A picture of Claudia Winkleman, Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly on Strictly
Brucey with Claudia and Tess (Guy Levy/BBC/PA)

While we sadly said a fond farewell to Brucie on launch night, Claudia has been a breath of fresh air. Her smart remarks and wordplay have even made the dreary telephone voting details a highlight of the show, as Claud finds new ways to liven up the script: “Who is Bill Payer? I’d like to meet him – he’s in charge of all of us.”

The comedy moments are also getting ever more surreal, with Claud presenting a bemused Tess with a joint of beef and a gravy boat last weekend. Speaking of Tess, it’s great to watch the two riff off each other as Claud brings out the fun side in her co-presenter.

Claudia is also master of the post-dance interviews in the “Clauditorium”, where amusing quips and cuddles break the tension even when the judges’ marks are less than stellar.

The judges’ new entrance

Why walk when you can twirl? The judges’ new entrance is a stroke of genius, as they spin and sashay into a fabulous group pose. Plus it’s a chance to see Craig smile and Darcey dance, both of which are beautiful events.

A lovely bunch of contestants

(BBC/Ray Burmiston)
(BBC/Ray Burmiston)

Like Goldilocks’ porridge, this year’s mix of contestants was “just right”. We got a good crop from pop world (Pixie, Frankie, Simon), a handful of TV stars (Jake, Steve, Sunetra), and a nice mix of young and old contestants (with Mark and Thom representing the youngsters, and Tim and Judy the elders).

Theme weeks have ramped up the fun factor

Scott Mills and Joanne Clifton got spooky for Halloween (BBC)
Scott Mills and Joanne Clifton got spooky for Halloween (BBC)

This year’s theme weeks really inspired some great dances, not to mention hair, make-up and costumes.

We had the brilliance of movie week, with guest judge Donny Osmond’s over-marking inspiring the phrase “a Donny 10” (miles away from a Craig 10, of course). Pixie impressed with her Disney dance, and Steve let loose in a Jungle Book-inspired quickstep.

Halloween was marred by Claudia’s absence, but Zoe was a good stand-in – quite like Claud, but without the fringe or dramatic eyeliner. The theme inspired some great routines, including Frankie performing a Tango as the most beautifully green witch ever, and Scott’s hilarious version of the Addams Family.

Blackpool Tower Ballroom brought us beautiful routines as the celebs stepped it up to match their swanky surroundings. Mark’s circus-themed Charleston and Simon’s Moulin Rouge Argentine Tango made quite an impression, and we also enjoyed the back-up dancers – despite the slight collision as Judy and Anton displayed their “kite-ography”.

The Around the World week presented viewers with a fusion of cultures, which worked in the case of Caroline’s Istanbul-based Charleston. Less successful was Jake’s weird Greek-inspired plate-smashing Argentine Tango. It featured an unfortunate collision and was labelled “a dance disaaahster” by Craig.

Speaking of fun, there have been some great comedy moments…

Judy Murray made Strictly a jolly holiday (BBC)
Judy Murray made Strictly a jolly holiday (BBC)

Several of our contestants succeeded at reducing our judges to tears of laughter this year. 2014 gave us plenty of funny moments, which must explain why the public kept Scott and Judy in for so long despite their complete inability to dance.

We enjoyed Scott Mills’ crab, Judy Murray’s boat-themed Charleston that went down like the Titanic, Tim’s unusual Paso Doble (resembling “a mildly irritated goat”, in Bruno’s words) and the disastrous use of Connie and Macey the Dalmatians, who couldn’t wait to get away from Judy’s Cruella de Ville.

We also got to see Gregg Wallace get cake in his face, although nerves led to his swift exit, as the first to be voted off the show. A shame, as we were hoping for a full-on food fight by the final.

Shock exits kept us on the edge of our seats

A picture of Pixie Lott on Strictly
Pixie Lott and Trent Whiddon (Guy Levy/BBC/Press Association Images)

Speaking of exits, this year has been really hard to predict, making the Results Show well worth watching – and not just for the professionals’ spectacular opening numbers. Caroline, Mark and Simon have all been in the dance off and fought for their place on Strictly, and now they’re in the final.

But the dance-off claimed unexpected victims. Favourite-to-win Pixie’s surprise exit in week 11 shocked fans and led to threats of a viewing boycott. And Mark couldn’t believe the judges chose him instead of Jake and his magic hips, who made his exit during the semi-final.

The costume department really outdid themselves

Although this year had its fair share of costume malfunctions, with Caroline almost taking a tumble as her heel got stuck in her dress, Alison almost smothering Aljaž with her billowing sleeves during her Kate Bush Wuthering Height routine and Brendan suffering an awkward split at the crotch (cue Len: “I think I saw your bongos!”), you really have to hand it to the costume department: 2014 featured some spectacular outfits.

We had Steve transformed into a dancing skeleton, Judy as the perfect Cruella (down to the paw prints on her veil), Scott ridiculous as a cartoonish crab, and Pixie as a fierce golden gladiator.

Aside from the themed costumes, there were also stunning dresses with beautiful swishy skirts, like Frankie’s ‘Daydream Believer’ dress which she clearly wanted to wear forever.

The costume department also let Mark, Thom and Steve get their chests out, which we can’t say we minded.

Fabulous Finalists

Caroline Flack
Caroline Flack (BBC)

The natural dancer – Caroline Flack is a gifted dancer who wears her heart on her sleeve. She got over her dance-off shock early on, bouncing back with amazing dances like her high-energy Charleston, her theatrical Argentine Tango and her flawless Salsa which earned the first 40 of the series.

Frankie and Kevin on Strictly
Frankie and Kevin on Strictly (BBC)

The cute couple – Frankie Bridge has shown good technique, although not perfect. But her partnership with fan favourite Kevin from Grimsby puts her up there on the likeability scale, and they have had a series of memorable dances: a dramatic Paso Doble, Frankie taking to the air for her Wicked tango, and the tricky Argentine Tango to Beethoven.

Mark Wright
Mark Wright (BBC)

The journey – Mark Wright has gone from zero to hero. Dubbed Marky No-Moves by his friends, Mark has transformed himself into a dancer and survived a number of dance-offs because of his rapid improvement. His stand-out dances including the Samba and Charleston put him back in the running.

Simon Webbe
Simon Webbe (BBC)

The comeback ballroom kid – Simon Webbe got over his shaky early weeks to show he is a true ballroom dancer. He has learnt to connect with the audience, and his chemistry with Kristina and hints at romance (“would it cross my mind after the show finishes? You’re going to have to ask me after it ends”) make him more likeable. Simon has performed a memorable American Smooth, Foxtrot, and Argentine Tango.