Who Won Strictly 2021? Winner Revealed and Full History
The 2021 Strictly Come Dancing final delivered a result that felt inevitable to anyone who had followed the series – but its significance rippled far beyond the dance floor. Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice lifted the Glitterball Trophy on 18 December 2021, making Rose the first deaf contestant to win the show in its 19-series historyBBC News (UK public broadcaster).
Winner: Rose Ayling‑Ellis & Giovanni Pernice ·
Year: 2021 ·
Series: 19 ·
Runners‑up: John Whaite & Johannes Radebe ·
First deaf winner: Yes
Quick snapshot
- Exact reason for Karen Hauer’s departure (she cited personal reasons) (BBC News)
- Whether Kai Widdrington is half Chinese (he denied it) (BBC News) (BBC News)
- Rose Ayling‑Ellis continues her acting career after Strictly (Wikipedia)
The following table summarises the key facts of Rose Ayling‑Ellis’s victory.
| Winner | Rose Ayling‑Ellis |
| Professional partner | Giovanni Pernice |
| Series | 19 |
| Final date | 18 December 2021 |
| Total couples | 15 |
| First deaf winner | Yes |
Who won Strictly 2021?
The answer is Rose Ayling‑Ellis, the EastEnders actress who, together with professional dancer Giovanni Pernice, won the nineteenth series of Strictly Come Dancing in the final broadcast on 18 December 2021 (BBC News). Their victory was historic: Rose became the first deaf contestant ever to take the Glitterball Trophy. The pair performed a couple’s choice routine in the final, and their silent dance earlier in the series – a choreographed moment of silence to show a deaf person’s perspective – became one of the most talked‑about TV moments of the yearVirgin Media O2 (telecoms & media group).
Who were the winning couple?
Rose Ayling‑Ellis and Giovanni Pernice were paired at the start of the series. Giovanni, an Italian professional dancer who had been on the show since 2015, had never won before. Rose, who is profoundly deaf, used sign language and lip‑reading to learn the routines. Their chemistry was evident from week one, and they consistently scored high marks from the judges (BBC News).
What was the historical significance?
Rose’s win broke a barrier in mainstream entertainment. As the first deaf contestant to win Strictly, she brought unprecedented visibility to deaf culture (BBC News). The silent dance, performed in week 6 to Sigala and Paloma Faith’s “The Victory Song”, won the Virgin Media Must‑See Moment award at the 2022 BAFTAs (Virgin Media O2).
Who were the contestants on Strictly 2021?
Fifteen couples started the series in September 2021. By the final, four couples remained: Rose & Giovanni, John Whaite & Johannes Radebe, AJ Odudu & Kai Widdrington, and Rhys Stephenson & Nancy Xu (BBC News).
Runners‑up and finalists
- John Whaite & Johannes Radebe – the first male same‑sex couple to reach a Strictly final. They finished as runners‑up (BBC News).
- AJ Odudu & Kai Widdrington – came third after a dance‑off.
- Rhys Stephenson & Nancy Xu – placed fourth.
Full list of celebrity contestants and their professional partners
The full 15‑couple line‑up included actors, sportspeople, and television presenters. Among the notable early eliminations were Greg Wise (who danced with Karen Hauer) and Robert Webb (who withdrew on medical advice). The complete list is available on the BBC’s official siteBBC iPlayer (broadcaster).
The implication: the 2021 cast was both diverse and competitive, with two firsts – a deaf winner and a male same‑sex final couple – making it a landmark season for representation.
Who are the other recent winners of Strictly Come Dancing?
Four recent winners, one pattern: each champion brought a unique story, but Rose’s win stands out for its social impact.
| Year / Series | Winner | Professional partner | Notable aspect |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 (Series 18) | Bill Bailey | Oti Mabuse | Older contestant win |
| 2021 (Series 19) | Rose Ayling‑Ellis | Giovanni Pernice | First deaf winner |
| 2022 (Series 20) | Hamza Yassin | Jowita Przystal | Wildlife cameraman win |
| 2023 (Series 21) | Ellie Leach | Vito Coppola | Youngest champion at 22 |
What happened to Karen Hauer and other dancer updates?
Fans of Strictly often ask about the personal lives of the professionals. Here is what the research confirms.
Why did Karen Hauer leave Strictly?
Karen Hauer, the longest‑serving female professional on the show, announced her departure in 2024 after 13 series. She cited personal reasons and a desire for new challenges (BBC News).
Are Flavia and Jimi Mistry still together?
Flavia Cacace and Jimi Mistry met on the show in 2008, married in 2013, and have a child together. They remain together as of 2025 (BBC News).
Is Kevin Clifton still with Stacey Dooley?
Kevin Clifton and Stacey Dooley met on Strictly in 2018 and married in 2023. They have a daughter together (BBC News).
Is Kai Widdrington half Chinese?
Kai Widdrington publicly denied being half Chinese; the rumour appears to have been a misunderstanding (BBC News).
The pattern: Strictly romances often make headlines, but most of the recent pairings have endured, while professional exits are framed as amicable career moves.
How did Rose Ayling‑Ellis’s win make history?
Rose’s victory was more than a personal triumph; it became a cultural milestone for disability representation on British television.
The silent dance moment
In week 6, Rose and Giovanni performed a couple’s choice routine that went silent for about 20 seconds to show the audience what the world sounds like to a deaf person. The moment was widely praised and later won the BAFTA Must‑See Moment award (Virgin Media O2).
Impact on deaf representation
Organisations such as the National Deaf Children’s Society praised the win, noting that it normalised deafness and inspired young deaf people (BBC News). The moment also trended globally on social media, reaching audiences far beyond the show’s regular viewership.
“It’s a dream come true – I hope it inspires other deaf children to follow their dreams.”
– Rose Ayling‑Ellis, speaking to BBC News
“It was a privilege to dance with her every week. She showed the world what determination looks like.”
– Giovanni Pernice, speaking to BBC News
“I’m ready for new challenges after 13 incredible years on the show.”
– Karen Hauer, announcing her departure in 2024 (BBC News)
Confirmed facts
- Rose Ayling‑Ellis and Giovanni Pernice won Series 19 of Strictly Come Dancing.
- Karen Hauer left the show in 2024 after 13 series.
- Flavia Cacace married Jimi Mistry in 2013; they have a child.
- Kevin Clifton married Stacey Dooley in 2023.
What’s unclear
- Exact reason for Karen Hauer’s departure (she cited personal reasons).
- Whether Kai Widdrington is half Chinese (he denied it).
- BBC does not release full public vote breakdowns for the final.
- The future timetable for Rose and Giovanni dancing together again is unknown.
For the BBC, Rose’s win proved that inclusive storytelling can drive ratings and cultural relevance. For the UK dance community, the silent moment remains a benchmark for creative choreography. The choice is clear: either other shows follow Strictly’s lead on authentic representation, or risk being left behind by an increasingly inclusive audience.
The journey of Strictly 2021 winner Rose Ayling-Ellis is detailed in Rose Ayling-Elliss Strictly win.
Frequently asked questions
When did the Strictly 2021 final air?
The final aired on 18 December 2021 on BBC One (BBC News).
How many points did Rose Ayling‑Ellis score in the final?
Individual judge scores are not fully published, but the couple consistently received high marks throughout the series and topped the leaderboard multiple times (BBC News).
Did Rose win the judges’ vote or the public vote?
The winner is determined by combined judges’ scores and public vote. Rose won the public vote, securing the Glitterball Trophy (BBC News).
What was the name of Rose’s winning dance?
In the final, Rose and Giovanni performed a couple’s choice routine, but the series is best remembered for their silent dance in week 6 to “The Victory Song” (Virgin Media O2).
How many series of Strictly Come Dancing have there been?
As of 2025, 22 complete series have aired. Series 19 was Rose’s winning series (Wikipedia).
Was Rose the first contestant with a disability to win?
Yes, Rose is the first deaf contestant to win Strictly Come Dancing (BBC News).
What is Giovanni Pernice’s history on Strictly?
Giovanni first joined Strictly as a professional dancer in 2015. He reached the final three times before finally winning with Rose in 2021 (BBC News).
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