Strictly Come Dancing winner 2020: Bill Bailey claims Glitterball trophy

The BBC series has a new champion

The winner of Strictly Come Dancing 2020 has been crowned.

After what was considered to be one of the closest races in years, comedian Bill Bailey and his professional partner Oti Mabuse were named the recipients of this year’s Glitterball trophy.

Presenter and singer HRVY, EastEnders star Maisie Smith and Made in Chelsea’s Jamie Laing were the other finalists.

Speaking after the announcement, Bailey said: “It feel surreal, it feels extraordinary, it feels wonderful.”

“I never thought we'd get this far – never thought we'd get to the final.”

He continued: “But I have the most extraordinary teacher and the most extraordinary dancer. Someone who believed in me right from the beginning, and she found something in me and turned me into this, into a dancer."

Mabuse called Bailey “amazing” and “remarkable”.

Earlier in the evening (19 December), Bailey had topped the scoreboard with 88 points alongside HRVY and Smith. Laing ended with 84 points.

Bailey, who is known for his appearances on BBC panel show Mock the Week and Channel 4 sitcom Black Books, surprised viewers to become one of this year’s series early favourites. 

Oti Mabuse and Bill Bailey win ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ 2020 (BBC/Guy Levy)

He was one of the only contestants to completely avoid being in any of the dreaded dance offs since it began in September.

This marks Mabuse’s second time winning the show having taken home the trophy with soap star Kelvin Fletcher in 2019.

Find a recap of the evening’s events here.