Strictly Come Dancing series 8

According to BARB data, this series was the consistently highest-rated of the show to date, peaking at 14.28 million viewers.

[1] Alesha Dixon, Len Goodman, Craig Revel Horwood, and Bruno Tonioli all returned as judges.

For the eighth series, the set was totally revamped: the backstage room where scores were given was replaced by a tower above the dance floor so that the couples could watch as their teammates performed.

For the results show, Daly was joined by Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two presenter Claudia Winkleman.

[3] The series concluded on 18 December when EastEnders actress Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev were announced as the winners, while television presenter Matt Baker and Aliona Vilani finished in second place, and psychologist Pamela Stephenson and James Jordan finished in third.

The members of the dance troupe included Darren Bennett & Crystal Main, Ian Waite & Aneta Piotrowska, and Shem Jacobs & Tanya Perera.

Color key: Unless indicated otherwise, individual judges scores in the charts below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: Craig Revel Horwood, Len Goodman, Alesha Dixon, Bruno Tonioli.

Musical guest: Peter Andre — "Defender" Tina O'Brien was unable to perform due to an illness.

Musical guest: Neil Diamond — "Midnight Train to Georgia" Ian Waite filled in for Brendan Cole, who was attending his father's funeral.

Musical guest: Manic Street Preachers – "Some Kind of Nothingness" Couples are listed in the order they performed.