Strictly Come Dancing 2012: the final, review In many ways, it couldn't have been scripted better. The humble, hard-working Olympian who had to settle for silver this summer redeemed himself and went one better. Indeed, with gymnast Louis Smith being the bookies" favourite before this series had even begun and remaining so right up until tonight, it was almost as if the viewers had written their own story, then willed it to come true. So Smith still had to step up tonight. And step up he duly did. His Dirty Dancing salsa was a crowd-pleasing triumph. His Charleston was near-perfect. But it was his showdance which sealed the deal. Stripped to the waist, he unleashed his gymnastic skills in a bravely choreographed piece which was slow and balletic, in contrast to his rivals" frenzied routines. Based around the Argentine tango and boasting some spectacular acrobatics, it showed extraordinary strength and control. Neither viewers nor judges had seen anything like it on Strictly before. The tacky glitterball trophy isn't the kind of gold Smith had in mind at the start of 2012, but it'll do - at least until Rio 2016. Van Outen also triumphed in her own way. Despite her being arguably the best dancer, viewers didn't warm to her, partly down to suspicions she was a ringer with too much previous dance experience. Van Outen was widely expected to exit first but ended up scoring highest with the judges and giving Smith a run for his money. Her jive was high energy, her Charleston a joy and her showdance an athletic extravaganza of lifts and spins. She won over sceptical viewers, albeit not in enough volume to cause an upset. Kimberley Walsh also had a fine night, with a floatily romantic waltz, a dramatically pouty tango and a saucy, Beyonce-soundtracked showdance which was all flicky hair and wriggly rump. The least limelight-seeking member of Girls Aloud might have trouble going unnoticed from now on. In fourth place came Dani Harmer. The CBBC star has been the most improved dancer and was again technically precise, while showing great chemistry with loveable partner Vincent Simone. They simply lacked the wow factor on the night, made a few small mistakes and their showdance - cracking through the gears of Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody - was a bit of a jumble. The overall standard of dancing was remarkably high and the show superb. However, there were minor quibbles. The final is normally fought between three couples and increasing this to four had no tangible upside, merely making the first half feel rushed as eight dances were squeezed into 80 minutes. The scheduling of the showdance was also strange, seeming like a finale that came too soon. Musical guest Robbie Williams was a wet blanket, lazily plugging his new single rather than lending any sense of occasion. Finally, and it's been a common complaint this series, host Sir Bruce Forsyth doddered and floundered. He fluffed several links and became gratingly repetitive in his exhortations for couples to "look, look" at their standing ovations. He also seemed to panic at the show's climax, ordering people to "back off" as they filled the dancefloor in celebration, taking the edge off the tickertape-strewn finale. Keeping him on out of sentiment is increasingly looking like cruelty and this tenth series should be the old stager's last. It would be a fitting swansong, because it's been the best yet.