Strictly Inverness 2025 winners hail ‘amazing’ night after getting top marks on both dances
This year’s winners of a popular charity competition said never thought they’d be crowned champions — although they worked hard to achieve the top spot.
Last night, Michaela Newlands (34) and Gavin Ordish-Smith (32) raised the top trophy at this year’s Strictly Inverness dance contest at the Inverness Ice Centre.
The dance partners triumphed on the night despite a very hard-fought competition from other finalists, with seven dances getting top marks from the judges.
“I can’t believe it,” said Michaela after the announcement.
“We always wanted to win it, but never ever thought for a second that we would!
“I am just so grateful for having been part of this journey, and I am so grateful for everyone who voted for us and supported us — thank you.”
Despite having a tense first night on Friday, performing in front of such a large crowd for the first time, it all fell into place for the grand final.
Gavin continued: “Everyone has been amazing, all the dancers, the audience, the crowd — and the tutors Suzanne and Tina! We couldn’t have done this without them.”
It was a tough job for judges Loyd Griffiths, Amy Dowden and Grahame Love to pick the best performers on the night, with Michaela’s and Gavin’s energy and skill getting them a double full-score on the night, before the audience voting.
Amy, who has been a Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer and is a former British National Latin Dance Champion, was the star judge on the night.
She said that all the dancers did themselves proud and that she was amazed by the skill shown on the night — despite all dancers being amateurs.
“Tonight has been wonderful, the atmosphere was just insane,” she said.
“It was a tough competition, I really didn’t know which way it was going to go. I gave out so many tens, which just shows how impressed I was.
“There was such a fantastic reaction when the third and second places were announced. In my view, with all that the participants have achieved over the past months, they are all winners. I am so proud to have been part of the local Strictly!”
Ahead of the finale, she also got the chance to visit the Highland Hospice,.
“I had the honour and opportunity and what they have created there for their patients and their community is amazing,” she said.
