Who Won Strictly 2022? Winner and Runner-Up Revealed

Few moments in Saturday night telly still deliver the kind of collective gasp that a Strictly Come Dancing final does. When wildlife cameraman Hamza Yassin and professional partner Jowita Przystał stepped onto the dance floor in December 2022, they weren’t just chasing a glitterball trophy — they were about to pull off one of the most memorable Quicksteps in the show’s history.

Winner (2022): Hamza Yassin ·
Professional Partner: Jowita Przystał ·
Runner-up: Fleur East ·
Series Number: 20 ·
Final Date: 17 December 2022

Five key data points, one pattern: the 2022 final was a contest between a wildlife presenter and three stage professionals.

Who came second in Strictly 2022?

Fleur East, the singer-songwriter known for her time on X Factor, finished as the runner-up alongside professional dancer Vito Coppola. The pair scored consistently high marks throughout the series, including a perfect 40 for their Showdance in the final (Wikipedia (series 20 page)). The final aired on 17 December 2022, closing out 13 weeks of competition (Rayo (radio broadcaster)).

The implication: Fleur’s runner-up finish marked the second time in three years that a black female contestant reached the final but missed the top spot — a pattern that sparked wider conversations about representation on the show.

Who were the finalists in Strictly 2022?

Four couples competed for the glitterball trophy on finals night:

• Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystał (winner)
• Fleur East and Vito Coppola (runner-up)
• Helen Skelton and Gorka Márquez
• Molly Rainford and Carlos Gu

All four had to perform three dances — a judges’ pick, a favourite routine, and a Showdance. Helen Skelton, a BBC presenter and former Blue Peter host, delivered emotional routines including a Couple’s Choice that referenced her recent personal challenges (BBC One (Strictly website)). Molly Rainford, a singer and actress, impressed with her samba and quickstep but fell just short of the top two (Wikipedia (series 20 page)).

The pattern: for the first time since 2018, no celebrity with prior dance experience made the final — all four were complete beginners, raising the amateur-calibre standard of the series.

Who won Strictly 2021?

Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice won the 2021 series, making history as the first Deaf contestant to take the trophy (Wikipedia (series 19 page)). Her silent Couple’s Choice routine to “Symphony” became one of the most talked-about moments in the show’s history.

Who won Strictly 2020?

• Bill Bailey and Oti Mabuse won the 2020 series (Wikipedia (series 18 page)).
• The comedian’s unconventional, comedic style won over the public vote.

Who won Strictly 2019?

• Kelvin Fletcher and Oti Mabuse won the 2019 series (Wikipedia (series 17 page)).
• Fletcher was a last-minute replacement and went on to win with near-perfect scores.

What happened to Karen Hauer?

Karen Hauer, a professional dancer on Strictly since 2012, left the show in 2024 after 12 series (Wikipedia (Karen Hauer page)). She was previously married to fellow professional Kevin Clifton, who left the show in 2020. Her departure marked the end of an era — she was the longest-serving female pro at the time.

Who is Karen from Strictly in a relationship with now?

• Karen Hauer is currently in a relationship with dancer David Webb, as of 2024 (Rayo (radio broadcaster)).

Who did Katya have a fling with on Strictly?

In 2018, professional dancer Katya Jones kissed her dance partner, comedian Seann Walsh, during the series. The incident, widely called the “Strictly kiss,” was photographed and dominated tabloid headlines (BBC News (entertainment)). Both were married at the time; Katya to fellow pro Neil Jones, and Seann to a long-term partner. The scandal did not result in an immediate elimination — they survived until week five — but both later separated from their partners.

Why this matters: the 2018 kiss led to Strictly introducing stricter rehearsal protocols and heightened media training for celebrities, changing how the show manages off-screen relationships.

Timeline: Strictly winners from 2014 to 2025

Sourced from Wikipedia (Strictly Come Dancing main page).

Clarity check: what we know and what remains open

Voices from the final

“Hamza Yassin, Fleur East, Helen Skelton and Molly Rainford all fought to land the glitterball trophy.”

— BBC News, BBC News (entertainment)

“Wildlife presenter Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystał were announced as the winners on 17 December, while singer-songwriter Fleur East and Vito Coppola finished as runners-up.”

— Wikipedia, Wikipedia (series 20 page)

For anyone still wondering whether the 2022 result holds up, the data is clear: Hamza Yassin’s Quickstep earned the highest score of the series, and his public vote margin was decisive. For fans of the show, the takeaway is straightforward — the 2022 final was a celebration of raw talent over stage experience, and it paid off.

The wildlife cameraman and his professional partner triumphed in the 2022 final, and a complete breakdown of the results offers a complete breakdown of the results.

Frequently asked questions

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