Leader: Strictly good, sporting entertainment

THEY have tangoed, polka’d, foxtrotted and jived through months of practice and shows and finally McFly pop group drummer Harry Judd and his professional dance partner Aliona Vilani waltzed off as the winners of BBC TV’s Strictly Come Dancing 2011. No controversy surrounded the result – both viewers and judges voted for them as the best.

Saturday’s grand finale attracted 12 million television viewers with more following it online which must put the show firmly in the ranks of the nation’s favourite attractions. It clearly has more than voyeuristic celebrity appeal for Mr Judd is not exactly the best known of the original competitors. Neither is it the hope of seeing inflated personalities make a complete fools of themselves – horoscope writer Russell Grant, unpredictably, looked the most likely candidate but acquitted himself with a certain flamboyant dignity.

We think it is because it more closely resembles a sporting event, where all can watch the competitors earnestly go through a training routine and then do their utmost to perform to the peak of their ability. Honest endeavour which leads to individual triumph with little rancour from losers – or the cruelty of other “celebrity” shows – on the way is always attractive, helped in this case by the participants’ knowing the show is all about entertainment.