Let's Dance For Comic Relief: Shock as James Thornton and Charlie Baker's Puttin' On The Ritz beats Russell Kane's Beyonce in the final

By Emily Sheridan


Toe-tapping: Comedian Charlie Baker (left) and Emmerdale actor James Thornton (right) tap-dance to Puttin' On The Ritz during the Let's Dance For Comic Relief final


Since Let's Dance For Comic Relief's inception two years ago, the talent competition has always been won by comedians in drag.

But duo James Thornton and Charlie Baker were the surprise winners of this year's contest after beating bookies favourite Russell Kane to the trophy.

The Emmerdale actor, 35, and comedian, 34, donned tailcoats and top hats to tap their way through the Fred Astaire classic Puttin' On The Ritz.


The pair ended up winning the most public votes after going up against Kane, Katie Price and Ade Edmondson, among others.

Following their performance, judge Louie Spence told them: 'Not only they not 'tap-synching', they were knocking out clean beats. You had great fluidity and your rhythms were great.'

Comedian Kane, 30, had been given 11/8 odds of winning the show after his hilarious routine to Beyonce's Crazy In Love.

Classic scene: The pair denied speculation they had been 'tap-synching' - insisting their footwork was completely authentic

Triumphant: The pair accepted the winners' trophy after being crowned the champions


But he was narrowly beaten in second place by the tap-dancing duo.

This year's BBC show was co-hosted by Welsh presenters Steve Jones and Alex Jones with last year's champion Rufus Hound, comedienne Miranda Hart and choreographer Spence on the judging panel.

Glamour model Price was the first to perform in her comical rendition of Queen's I Want To Break Free.

Second place: Despite being the bookies' favourite, comedian Russell Kane's hilarious performance as Beyonce failed to clinch the title


The mother-of-three wore a PVC mini-skirt, black bouffant wig, stockings and fake body hair and a moustache to recreate Freddie Mercury's iconic performance.

During the routine, the 32-year-old strutted around with a vacuum cleaner and duster and rolled over a troupe of dancers in nude bodysuits.

Hound said: 'That was deeply mercurial, I've got slight 'tache envy. You need a lot of support...'

Referring to her mini-skirt, Hart said: 'First off can I have my skirt back, she's ruined it by putting an extra panel in. Hat's off to you.'

Hairy: Katie Price donned a moustache and body hair to recreate Freddie Mercury in the Queen's I Want To Break Free video

Well-inflated: Price has exaggerated her own surgically-enhanced assets with even bigger breast padding


Giving more constructive criticism was Spence: 'It wasn't the most choreographic dance, but you gave it a lot of attitude. Anyone who can work a hoover like that in a pair of heels I'm loving it.'

Mighty Boosh comedian Noel Fielding, 37, became a drag Kate Bush to perform her 1978 single Wuthering Heights.

Wearing a red dress and long brunette wig, he flailed around the stage accompanied by two female dancers.

The dance ended with Fielding being carried away by comedy partner Julian Barratt, dressed as Heathcliff.

Dying... slowly... Comedian Ade Edmondson was a graceful dying swa

Splat! Edmondson's swan was killed off by Rik Mayall dropping a 1 tonne weight on him


Hart remarked: 'I'm moved, you've moved me emotionally.'

He was followed by '80s Supergroup' - comprising of Limahl, 52; Toyah Wilcox, 52; Clare Grogan, 48; and 90s pop star Chesney Hawkes, 39.

The pair donned leather jackets, overalls and wigs to perform a high energy routine to Grease Lightning from the 1978 film Grease.

Comedian Ade Edmondson, 54, wore a white tutu, tights and feathery head dress as he pirouetted to the Dying Swan from Swan Lake.

At the climax of the song, Edmondson's swan ended up 'dying' at the hands of a 1 tonne weight dropped from the ceiling by former comedy partner Rik Mayall.

Seeing red: Mighty Boosh star Noel Fielding became Kate Bush in a routine to her song Wuthering Heights


Hart joked: 'Ade and I were at the Royal Ballet together. I've let myself go but you've still go it.'

Spence smirked: 'Yes, Miranda, you have let yourself go... This is classical ballet, the pure form of dance. it was executed in the highest of standards. Wonderful, beautiful swan.'

The final act of the night was comedian Russell Kane, 30, who threw his all into Beyonce's Crazy In Love.

He wore a racy orange dress and blonde wig as he shook his backside at high speed to the fast-paced R&B track.

Retro: The 80s supergroup - comprising of (L-R) Toyah Wilcox, Limahl and Claire Grogan with Chesney Hawkes behind performed Grease Lightnin

Handing over the title: Last year's winner Rufus Hound presents the trophy to Thornton and Baker watched by host Steve Jones (far right)


Hound said: 'It was amazing, I loved every moment of it and if I had my phone I'd be ringing it.'

Spence added: 'That booty shake - peachy Kane, you better work girl.'

The show also featured live performance of Plan B's new single Writing's On The Wall and Nicole Scherzinger's Don't Hold Your Breath.

This year's Let's Dance For Comic Relief has already raised over £1million during its four weeks on air.

Keeping up with the Joneses: The show was hosted by Welsh TV presenters Steve Jones and Alex Jones






Source:dailymail