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    Strictly final draws in 14 million – Daily TV round-up

    Second biggest final audience ever sees Olympic gymnast take the title

    By Ben Arnold | Yahoo! TV News – Mon, Dec 24, 2012 10:42 GMT

    The grand finale of 'Strictly Come Dancing' drew in 14 million viewers, the second highest audience for a final of the BBC dance show.

    The tenth series, which concluded with gymnast Louis Smith and pro-dancer Flavia Cacace taking home the title, was only beaten by 2010's final – when 'EastEnders' star Kara Tointon won the show.

    Louis and Flavia... taking home the Strictly title in front of 14 million (Copyright: BBC)

    It topped last year's final audience, which was won by McFly's Harry Judd, by one million viewers.

    Winning dancer Smith beat Denise Van Outen, Kimberley Walsh and Dani Harmer to the prize, and is expected to begin a lucrative TV career.

    He has reportedly been offered a 'six-figure sum' to appear in his own reality TV show, with showbusiness experts predicting a salary of around £2 million over the next year.

    Smith isn't the only star of the show expected to receive a bumper payday.

    Girls Aloud star Kimberley Walsh, dubbed 'Nimble Kimble' by judge Len Goodman, is set to make a solid sum out of her appearance on the show.

    A source told the Daily Express that 'the phone hasn’t stopped ringing. She is more in demand now than ever before. She looks set to make £1 million'.

    Meanwhile, host Bruce Forsyth has said that he has no intention of retiring from the show.

    “I’m certainly not going to retire - that’s the last thing on my mind!” he said. “It’s the buzz of working, people don’t understand. Although I am 84, walking on to a studio floor or the theatre stage, you get the adrenaline rush which is marvellous.

    “When I come back I see how I feel and we go from there. Let’s face it - nobody will put an 84-year-old under contract for five years!” [Daily Mail/Daily Express/The Sun]

    Also in today's press

    'X Factor' stars James Arthur and Matt Cardle have continued their feud on Twitter. Speaking about Cardle's debut album, Arthur said: “2 million returned and now live in the bargain bin at asda give it up the tunes are brutal.. the desperation for press is embarrassing.” [Daily Mail]

    Four soap stars are set for 'Celebrity Big Brother', according to reports. 'Neighbours' star Ryan Moloney, who plays Toadfish in the series, is set to be joined by 'EastEnders' Gillian Taylforth, Corrie's Sam Robertson and Tricia Penrose from 'Heartbeat'. [The Sun]