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Strictly Come Dancing 2013: Past winners

From debut star Natasha Kaplinsky to last year's champion Louis Smith

Friday 13 December 2013 14:44 GMT

A colourful dance spectacular opened the show at Blackpool Tower Ballroom a few weeks ago (BBC)

The grand sparkling final of Strictly Come Dancing 2013 is nearing ever closer.

So, while celebrity competitors are busy perfecting their Jives, Sambas, Foxtrots and more ahead of Saturday's semi-final, it is time to take a nostalgic look back through those iconic red show curtains.

From newsreader Natasha Kaplinksy becoming the first contestant to lift the much sought-after Glitter Ball Trophy in 2004 to Olympic gymnast Louis Smith's triumphant season last year, who has cemented their place in Strictly champion history?

Last Sunday saw Hollyoaks' Ashley Tayor Dawson and his dance partner Ola Jordan voted off the show, after the pair lost out to Casualty actor Patrick Robinson and his Rumba to Bruno Mars' "When I Was Your Man".

Model Abbey Clancy, former Coronation Street actress Natalie Gumede, pop star Sophie Ellis-Bextor and BBC Breakfast presenter Susanna Reid will join Robinson for the semi-final this weekend.

Strictly Come Dancing 2013: Past winners of the show

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1/10Strictly Come Dancing 2013: Past winners of the show

Strictly Come Dancing 2013: Past winners of the show

Newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky was the first winner to lift the glitterball trophy with her dance partner Brendan Cole in 2004, beating EastEnders actor Christopher Parker in the final.

BBC

Strictly Come Dancing 2013: Past winners of the show

EastEnders actress Jill Halfpenny won the 2004 series with Darren Bennett after beating off competition from comedian Julian Clary and Olympian Denise Lewis. She still holds the highest score for a Jive in Strictly history, scoring the full 40 points from the judges. She now has a West End theatre career.

BBC

Strictly Come Dancing 2013: Past winners of the show

Cricketer Darren Cough won the third series with Lilia Kopylova, defeating athlete Colin Jackson and presenter Zoe Ball. Gough never finished top of the judges' leaderboard but was still crowned champion by the public! He now co-presents a talkSPORT radio show.

BBC

Strictly Come Dancing 2013: Past winners of the show

Proving that cricketers can flourish on Strictly, Mark Ramprakash followed Darren Gough's footsteps to win Strictly in 2006 with dance partner Karen Hardy. Rugby player Matt Dawson lost out to him in the final.

BBC

Strictly Come Dancing 2013: Past winners of the show

Singer and former Strictly judge Alesha Dixon was crowned champion of the 5th series in 2007. She won with Matthew Cutler after a close final with Matt Di Angelo. She holds the record for the highest average score in Strictly history with 36.5, despite never achieving a perfect 40 points. She joined the judging panel from 2009 to 2011 and is now on Britain's Got Talent.

BBC

Strictly Come Dancing 2013: Past winners of the show

Holby City actor Tom Chambers won in 2008 with Camilla Dallerup, who was competing in her last series of the show. Model Lisa Snowdon and S Club star Rachel Stevens lost out in the final. He currently stars in the West End.

BBC

Strictly Come Dancing 2013: Past winners of the show

News presenter and sportsman Chris Hollins won in 2009 with Ola Jordan to beat actor Ricky Whittle to the crown. He managed to avoid the dance-off for the entirety of his run. He presented the BBC Breakfast sports news while appearing on Strictly.

BBC

Strictly Come Dancing 2013: Past winners of the show

EastEnders star Kara Tointon was the second actress to win Strictly in 2010, partnered with debut professional Artem Chigvintsev. She has appeared in Pygmalion in the West End with Rupert Everett.

BBC

Strictly Come Dancing 2013: Past winners of the show

McFly drummer Harry Judd and his partner Aliona Vilani took the trophy in 2011 after seeing off competition from Jason Donavan. He had previously won a Children in Need special of Strictly, in which he beat The Saturdays' Rochelle Wiseman to the title.

BBC

Strictly Come Dancing 2013: Past winners of the show

Last year's winner was Olympic gymnastics bronze medallist Louis Smith, who took part fresh from the glory of the London games. He won Strictly with Flavia Cacace after Girls Aloud's Kimberley Walsh, Denise Van Outen and Danni Harmer challenged him in the final.

BBC

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