Sara Davies had the homecoming to end all homecomings on Thursday night when she and pro partner Aljaz won the Strictly tour in Newcastle, becoming the first couple to defeat Rose Ayling Ellis and Giovanni Pernice so far.
Before the tour arrived at the Utilita Arena, current champions Rose and Giovanni had won every single show, both evening and matinee performances, after getting the lion's share of votes from audiences.
But that all changed on Tyneside when County Durham born star of Dragons Den Sara and dance partner in crime Aljaz received a rapturous reception from the near capacity crowd.
And the judges were clearly impressed with what they saw as well.
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Returning expert Bruno Tonioli and his colleague Shirley Ballas and Craig Revel Horwood all awarded a 10 for Sara and Aljaz’s first dance - their high scoring Foxtrot to Dream A Little Dream.
That went down vet well with the audience which included many of Sara’s family and friends who were very vocal from start to finish.
Sara and Aljaz also scored well for their second half number - their memorable dance to 9 to 5 and then, with the decision on who was going to lift the Glitterball on night one in Newcastle left in fans’ hands, just Sara and Aljaz and Rose and Giovanni, who’d triumphed every time in Birmingham and Leeds, were left standing.
And the roof nearly came off the arena when host and former Strictly pro Janette Manrara revealed that Sara and Aljaz had won.
They looked In total shock when the result was announced, with Aljaz then joking that he wanted the tour to stay in Newcastle.
If you weren’t there last night there are two chances to see the Strictly tour at the Utilita Arena on Friday.
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