Strictly Come Dancing winner Hamza Yassin will return home to Scotland to a hero’s welcome – and a sparkling glitterball flag.
The custom-made banner matches the legendary trophy he lifted with partner Jowita Przystal in Saturday night’s final of the competition. Chris Gane, who Hamza calls “his Scottish father”, unveiled the amazing flag when the result was announced. Chris wrapped it around himself at Kilchoan community hall, where 80 adults and children watched their friend and neighbour lift the trophy.
The flag then featured in videos and selfies as the village in Ardnamurchan celebrated Hamza’s victory. Parties across the peninsula went on until 4am. It will now fly from the flagpole beside Kilchoan Community Centre where the villagers watched Strictly for the last 12 weeks.
Chris said: “I’m calling it a welcome home flag for Hamza. I spoke to him after the event on Saturday – he was happy, emotional, delighted, surprised.
“I ordered the flag after Blackpool. I kept it top secret, I was very superstitious and didn’t want to jinx the result. I didn’t take it out of its wrapping and kept it beside me until the result was announced.”
Chris says Hamza will only be making a fleeting visit back home. He added: “He won’t be here long because he is on the Strictly tour which starts next month. That’s not long for his knees to recover.”
Dozens of folk across Scotland took to social media yesterday and on Saturday night following Hamza’s amazing win. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: “Congratulations Hamza and Jowita.”
SNP MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber Ian Blackford added: “Well I know the roof will be blown off the Kilchoan community hall tonight. Super super proud of you.”
And he was right. Local woman Caitlin Sonachan said: “Never in doubt. Some party in Kilchoan hall tonight!”
Gus MacLean said: “He has such a positive aura about him and is so friendly, a well deserved win for a lovely man.”
Avril Mahon added: “I’m sure there will be quite a queue to dance with him at the next ceilidh. It’s only right that Kilchoan Community Centre should now have its own glitterball.”
Hamza is the first Scottish Strictly champion since Joe McFadden in 2017. The 32-year-old wildlife cameraman moved to Kilchoan aged 21 after falling in love with the Ardnamurchan peninsula during a holiday.
For around a year, he lived in his car and washed his clothes at the local community centre. But after making friends with the locals, he stayed in empty holiday homes for several years before he bought a house.
Describing his win, Hamza said: “I am absolutely over the moon, I can’t believe it. I didn’t believe I would make it past week one, let alone make it to the final and lift that Glitterball.”
And in an emotional post to his 165k Instagram followers, he said: “I would like to thank the British public. To everyone who voted for us throughout the last 13 weeks, we could not have done it without you.
"Your support means the world to us. You are simply the best.
“I would like to thank all of my fellow Strictly 2022 classmates. You are ALL winners!
“I am thankful to have had the chance to get to know you wonderful people. This is not the end but the beginning of a lifetime of friendships, dinners and celebrations.”
Dance partner Jowita added: “Thank you so much to everyone who has voted for us. I am so proud of Hamza, the sheer amount of hard work, determination and courage he has shown over the past 13 weeks has been incredible.
"I never thought I would be lifting the Glitterball on my first year as a Strictly Pro! We are so grateful for all the support and love we have received, it’s been an amazing journey and I’ve loved every minute of it.”
The Strictly class of 2022 reunited for an after party at a London hotel following the final. Hamza and Jowita enjoyed a get-together with show presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, judges Shirley Ballas and Craig Revel Horwood and former contestants including Tony Adams, and Matt Goss. Overjoyed Hamza gave fans the thumbs-up as he left the bash.
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