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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Zoe Delaney

Strictly fans emotional as Fleur East 'finally gets the recognition she deserves'

Strictly Come Dancing were delighted to see Fleur East praised after her first dance during tonight's live final.

BBC viewers flocked to social media earlier this evening following the former X Factor contestant and professional dance partner Vito Coppola giving their first of three performances during this year's grand final.

The couple became the second couple in Strictly history to score a perfect score for the Samba tonight, thanks to their perfect performance in the judges' choice category.

Judges Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke all awarded the pair a 10, meaning they scored 40 out of a possible 40.

Fleur East was delighted to get a perfect score from the Strictly Come Dancing judges (BBC)

"I'm furious actually because I couldn't find anything wrong with it," Craig joked as he gave Fleur his feedback.

Head judge Shirley added: "I said after week eight you'd mastered your craft and I really do not have a paddle high enough for that Samba. It was good enough for a world class final."

"Wow! Listen, what is so beautiful about this Samba is I feel you didn't lose yourself in the competition," Motsi gushed as she delivered her verdict, "You became a stronger Fleur, you learned how to use that skill. You smashed that Samba!"

The judges couldn't praise the star enough when giving their score (BBC)

Anton was also full of praise for the radio DJ, telling her and Vito: "'It was better the second time around. We all know about the Samba and how difficult it is. I'm stunned you were able to do that in the amount of time you had to do it. It's about the best Samba we've ever seen on Strictly."

Fans watching at home were delighted to see Fleur receive gushing feedback and score a perfect 40.

"#Strictly. At last. Fleur getting the recognition she deserves," one fan wrote on Twitter following the star's first performance.

Fleur's fans were overcome with emotion after the judges gave their feedback (BBC)

"The fact that only Fleur has gotten Craig’s only 10s this season shows she’s on another level. I hope she wins. #Strictly," another quipped, as a third added: "Fleur is the only person to get 40 this series so far. When Craig gives a 10, you know it is actually worth a 40. #Strictly."

Another Strictly fan tweeted: "Fleur deserved that 40! She has been so incredible and just keeps coming back stronger every week especially with all the hate and nasty comments she gets! #Strictly."

Fleur, Molly Rainford, Helen Skelton and Hamza Yassin and their respective professional dance partners will be hoping to impress Strictly viewers tonight, as voting opens for fans to vote for who they want to see lift the Glitterball trophy.

BBC wildlife cameraman Hamza, 32, is the bookies' favourite to win this evening over his three celebrity co-stars, but has admitted that he's "super nervous" and still isn't convinced he can dance.

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