Chris McCausland celebrated his historic Strictly Come Dancing win alongside his co-stars, professional dancers and show judges after being crowned winner of the 2024 series

Strictly Come Dancing stars let their hair down after wrapping up its 20th anniversary series.

Comedian Chris McCausland, 47, took home the Glitterball trophy on Saturday night alongside professional dancer Dianne Buswell, 35. He managed to tip Tasha Ghouri, Sarah Hadland and JB Gill to the post and secure the winning spot. Chris won over a whole legion of fans and had his cast members in tears following the historic win.

After the live show came to an end all the stars of the 2024 series, the professional dancers and judges headed out to party the night away. Chris kept hold of his huge trophy as he was spotted leaving the afterparty at the BBC studios in North London with the award firmly in his hands.

Punam celebrated with Tasha

Shirley praised the professional dancers ( 
Image:
instagram.com/shirleyballas)
He managed to change out of his sequins into a more comfortable beige jumper and pair of black jeans with white trainers. Dianne was given a heroes welcome when she got home to boyfriend Joe Sugg – who she met through the show in 2018. Joe – who had been championing Dianne and Chris throughout the contest – made a welcome home sign for his girlfriend that celebrated her as the 2024 winner.

Professional dancer Amy Dowden shared snaps from the afterparty as well as a selfie with winners Chris and Dianne. Amy gushed: “My bestie @diannebuswell and my talented friend, who works so hard but is so loyal, caring, everything a girl needs! Every few days would always check in, always stayed true to herself. Gosh you did such an incredible and inspiring job! @chrismccauslandcomedy in utter awe of you! Congratulations champs!”

The stars celebrated at the Strictly afterparty ( 
Image:
instagram.com/shirleyballas)

Lauren and Shirley shared an embrace ( 
Image:
instagram.com/shirleyballas)Judge Shirley Ballas made sure to congratulate all the finalists as she was seen hugging the stars on the dancefloor after the show. Alongside her post, she wrote: “Your @bbcstrictly Champions 2024… @chrismccauslandcomedy and @diannebuswell. Huge congratulations to you both. I’m in awe of you. You are two truly extraordinary human beings and I am so very grateful to have crossed paths with both of you. Judging you each week has been a privilege.

“Thank you each and every one of you for tuning in and voting. We hoped you enjoyed the show as much as we did. A huge congratulations to @jbgill @laurenmayoakley @tashaghouri @aljazskorjanec @hadderstime @vitocoppola for your outstanding commitment to our show. Walk out this ballroom with your heads held high. You are true inspirations. congratulations also to everyone who danced for us this year. You were all wonderful and it has been a blast.”

Strictly marked its 20th anniversary ( 
Image:
instagram.com/shirleyballas)

Dianne and Chris took home the Glitterball trophy ( 
Image:
Instagram)
Shirley added: “I am forever grateful to be a part of a show that brings joy to millions of living rooms across the country. To all who work on and off the camera, thank you for putting on the best show on television. Thank you to you all for tuning in. I love you all. Have a beautiful Christmas. Hugs. X.”

Dr Punam Krishan returned to the show for the final after being eliminated earlier in the series. She joined in the celebrations and beamed alongside Tasha Ghouri. Punam wrote: “So proud of this one @tashaghouri – brought pure grace and elegance in every way. The most incredible dancer. A friend for life made through this beautiful experience xxx.”

Chris celebrated his win with his Strictly co-stars ( 
Image:
BBC)

The TV doctor also posed alongside Sarah Hadland backstage and said: “Our Madonna So so proud of @hadderstime – she absolutely smashed it and some. She just blew me away every week with her dances. What a final!” She also said of JB: “The wonderful champ @jbgill – the nicest, most humble man.. embraced every week despite the challenges. I truly loved watching his journey. So well deserved, epic final dances.”

Speaking to show host Tess Daly after he was announced the winner, Chris said on the show: “It’s astonishing, I don’t know what to say. I thought I would go out in the first week or two. We have lasted and lasted and she has got so much out of me, she deserves this so much. This is for her and for everyone out there who thought… who got told they couldn’t do something or thought they couldn’t do it. With opportunity and support and determination anything can happen.”