Soap star & comic in dance win

Duo tap way to dance victory

Charlie Baker and James Thornton won Let’s Dance For Comic Relief

Comedian Charlie Baker and Emmerdale actor James Thornton tapped their way to victory in the Let’s Dance for Comic Relief final.

Decked in top hat and tales, the pair put on a polished performance of Puttin’ on the Ritz and won the public vote.

And at the end of Saturday night’s show presenter Steve Jones revealed calls and texts during the series had raised more than £1 million for charity.

Judge and dance supremo Louie Spence summed up the winning performance: “They were knocking out clean beats. You had great fluidity through the moves as well. It was beautiful and your rhythms were great, so well done.”

Thornton said: “Thanks to everyone who voted at home. We’ve raised so much money for a brilliant cause and that’s what it’s all about. We’ve had a brilliant time while doing it.”

Cross dressing comedian Russell Kane took the runner up spot with a raunchy rendition of Beyonce’s Crazy in Love. After his high energy performance he looked slightly sheepish and said: “I forget who I am when I’m doing it.”

Former glamour model Katie Price opened the show, transforming herself into Queen’s Freddie Mercury by donning a black wig, moustache, leather miniskirt – and armpit hair.

And after her routine, in which she wielded a pink feather duster and vacuum cleaner, last year’s winner Rufus Hound revealed he had “‘tache envy”.

Comedian Noel Fielding tried to increase his chances of victory by puckering up with Hound during his impression of Kate Bush doing Wuthering Heights. Hound responded: “They say one in the hand is worth two in the bush. And for that Bush I would give you two.”

Another cross-dresser, Young Ones star Ade Edmondson, did his best to emulate Natalie Portman in Black Swan. Spence said of his The Dying Swan: “This is classical ballet. This was executed in the highest standards. It was a wonderful, beautiful swan.”