Soap star Alexandra Mardell crowned Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special winner

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Soap star Alexandra Mardell has been crowned the winner of Strictly Come Dancing’s Christmas special for 2022.The 29-year-old, known for playing Emma Brooker in Coronation Street, lifted the trophy with her dance partner Kai Widdrington.The pair impressed the judges and studio audience and scored a perfect 40 with their quickstep to Sleigh Ride by The Ronettes.The couple added extra festive fun to their performance with Mardell dressed as a reindeer and Widdrington as Santa.Following the win, Mardell said: “I am so shocked, I cannot thank you enough.

I’m so happy about that, I did that for you (Kai) as well, I can’t believe it.”They had to battle tough competition to secure the title against five other celebrity pairings.Girls Aloud’s Nicola Roberts scored highly for her waltz with Giovanni Pernice to a version of Silent Night sung by Michael Buble.With Roberts dressed in a white glittery floor-length ballgown with feather trim and Pernice in a grey suit, they glided their way to a score of 39.Presenter and podcaster Rosie Ramsey also secured 39 points after she and partner Neil Jones danced a lively jive to Sir Elton John’s Step Into Christmas.They performed in baby-pink costumes in front of a gingerbread house set.CBeebies presenter George Webster and Amy Dowden impressed with their Charleston to Good News from the film Nativity.Wearing a gold suit with a sparkly lapel, Webster dazzled the crowd by doing the splits during the routine, which earned him a score of 38.Radio DJ Rickie Haywood-Williams donned a toy Nutcracker costume for his dance with Luba Mushtuk.They delivered a salsa to Christmas Wrapping by The Waitresses to score 34 points.Actor Larry Lamb looked dapper in a tuxedo and tails for his American smooth