Strictly Come Dancing (series 8)

Strictly Come Dancing returned for it's eighth series on 11 September, 2010 on BBC One, with the competitive live shows beginning on 1 October. Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly returned to present the main show on Saturdays, while Claudia Winkleman returned to present spin-off show, Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two on BBC Two. Craig Revel Horwood, Len Goodman, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli all returned to the judging panel.

For series 8, the show's set and graphic were completely revamped to try and attract more viewers to the programme. The backstage room where scores were given was replaced by a tower above the dance floor so the couples could watch as the other celebrities perform. Alike last year, week 8 took place at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom.

It was the first series to be co-presented by Winkleman on Sundays, after Forsyth stepped down from presenting the results shows.

For the first time, celebrities did not know their professional partners until they were introduced to each other at the launch show. At the age of 61, Pamela Stephenson became (by far) the oldest contestant to ever make it to the finale.

On 18 December 2010, actress Kara Tointon and her professional partner, Artem Chigvintsev were crowned as the winners of the series.

The series was consistently the highest rated of the show to date, peaking at 14.28 million viewers.

Couples

 * Ann Widdecombe & Anton du Beke
 * Felicity Kendal & Vincent Simone
 * Gavin Henson & Katya Virshilas
 * Goldie & Kristina Rihanoff (Eliminated 1st)
 * Jimi Mistry & Flavia Cacace (Eliminated 5th)
 * Kara Tointon & Artem Chigvintsev (Winners)
 * Matt Baker & Aliona Vilani (Runners-up)
 * Michelle Williams & Brendan Cole (Eliminated 6th)
 * Pamela Stephenson & James Jordan (3rd place)
 * Patsy Kensit & Robin Windsor
 * Paul Daniels & Ola Jordan (Eliminated 2nd)
 * Peter Shilton & Erin Boag (Eliminated 3rd)
 * Scott Maslen & Natalie Lowe
 * Tina O'Brien & Jared Murillo (Eliminated 4th)