STRICTLY’S HRVY and Janette Manrara have admitted they love each other after forming an incredible bond during their time on this year’s series.
The fun pair were runners-up in last night’s final and applauded as Bill Bailey and Oti Mabuse were crowned Glitterball winners.
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But they leave the show with an even greater prize than the mirrored trophy: a friendship that will last for years to come.
Speaking to her partner in an interview with the Star, Janette, 37, said: “I’ve never felt more of a real partnership. I love you. I love you with all my heart.”
The feeling was mutual, with HRVY, 21, replying: “I love you more.”
He added: “Thanks for pushing me. Thanks for teaching me to dance, thanks for making me smile every day.
“And thanks for something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”
This series was the first time Janette, who is married to fellow pro Aljaz Skorjanec, had progressed to the final, and while she didn’t win, she couldn’t stop smiling.
Comedian Bill was crowned the oldest ever Strictly champ at 55 — after becoming a firm favourite with viewers.
Tears streaked double Glitterball champ Oti’s face after hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announced the couple as winners.
She jumped for joy and was left wide-eyed over the victory, while Bill looked stunned as he raised his hands to his head.
The suited pair hugged and screamed before putting their hands on the prestigious telly prize.
While Oti’s sister Motsi was left sobbing behind her judging desk, overjoyed for her younger sibling’s unlikely win at the end of the most difficult Strictly series ever.
Bill was lauded as an inspiration to “Dad dancers” after his extraordinary progress during the series from a novice to a ballroom winner.
He beat the record of the oldest champion by 13 years — Holby City actor Joe McFadden was 42 when he lifted the Glitterball Trophy in 2017.
His odds at one point with the bookies were 66-1.
After being announced the winner, Bill said: “It feels surreal, it feels extraordinary, it feels wonderful. I never thought we would get this far.”
He thanked dance partner Oti Mabuse saying “she turned me into a dancer”.
Oti said to Bill: “I think you are amazing, remarkable.
“You just put your heart into everything, you put your soul into everything.
“You’re in your world, but I love your world. Thank you for being a friend, a father figure to me, a brother and for this (the trophy).”
Bill, who is married to Kristin and has a 17-year-old son Dax, told earlier how the show had changed his life and made him stronger.
He said: “I think that certainly Strictly has added a bit of spice to my day job.
“It gives you a degree of toughness. Dancing live on television in front of millions of people is one of the most nerve-wracking things I think I’ve ever done.
“And I’ve done a few things. I’ve jumped out of planes, I’ve been sky diving, I’ve whitewater rafted, I’ve played in front of thousands of people at rock festivals.
“But this is something totally different.
This is out of my comfort zone, into a completely different arena.
“But being able to do it, being able to pull it off, and with some degree of success as well, and not just about getting through it, actually committing fully to the performance, giving it my all, finding the steps and putting a bit of style into it as well, which is something I never expected, is really something special.”
At the start of last night’s final co-host Tess Daly — just minutes after Boris Johnson sent most of the nation into Christmas lockdown — told millions of viewers: “If ever people needed cheering up, it’s now.
“After another tough day, we are going to try our very best to keep you entertained with an unforgettable night of dance.”
