The Strictly Come Dancing final is upon us, as four couples are primed to take to the dancefloor one last time tonight.
Those vying for the glitterball trophy are Chris McCausland and his partner Dianne Buswell, Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola, Tasha Ghouri dancing with Aljaž Škorjanec and JB Gill and his pro partner Lauren Oakley.
McCausland is a firm favourite to win, and if he does take home the glitterball trophy tonight, it will make him the first blind contestant to become a Strictly champion.
However, the comedian is reported to have faced a last-minute change of plan as his parents cannot travel to Hertfordshire to support him in the final, due to illness.
His mother Valerie has caught the flu, and will be unable to travel from their home in Liverpool to the Elstree Studios in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, where the live episode will be filmed. McCausland’s father, John, told The Daily Mail that he will be remaining at home to look after her.
Ahead of the final, McCausland’s dance partner Buswell broke down in tears when she was shown a clip of McCausland’s dancing journey on It Takes Two, and she praised him for being “the most honest man I’ve ever met”.
In tonight’s final, the couples will dance three numbers each: a judge’s pick, a show dance and the couple’s favourite dance from the series.
The Strictly Come Dancing final will air at 6pm on BBC One. Find the full list of songs and dances below.
JB Gill, the JLS star whose pro partner changed halfway through the series
JB Gill has made his way to the final – but it hasn’t been a steady journey. His previous partner, Amy Dowden, was forced to pull out of the competition after she sustained an injury. Still, though, the former JLS singer has powered through.
Ellie Muir14 December 2024 15:00
Tasha Ghouri’s journey from being Love Island’s first ever deaf contestant to Strictly Come Dancing
Among this year’s finalists is 26-year-old Tasha Ghouri – a model, TV personality and charity ambassador.
Ellie Muir14 December 2024 14:13
The full list of songs and dances for tonight’s final
Each couple will dance three times each in tonight’s live final, including one judge’s pick, one show dance and a couple’s favourite dance. Find out all of the songs and dance styles below.
JB Gill and Lauren Oakley
Judge’s Pick: Viennese Waltz to “Let’s Go Fly A Kite” from Mary Poppins
Show Dance: Motown Medley
Couple’s Favourite Dance: Samba to “Mas Que Nada” by Sergio Mendes
Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell
Judge’s Pick: Couple’s Choice to “Instant Karma! (We All Shine On)” by John Lennon
Show Dance: “You Get What You Give” by New Radicals
Couple’s Favourite Dance: Waltz to “You’ll Never Walk Alone” by Gerry and the Pacemakers
Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola
Judge’s Pick: American Smooth to “Proud” by Heather Small
Show Dance: “Cabaret” by Metropole Orkest
Couple’s Favourite Dance: Cha Cha to “Like A Prayer” by Madonna
Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec
Judge’s Pick: Couple’s Choice to “What About Us” by P!nk
Show Dance: “Sing, Sing, Sing” by Benny Goodman
Couple’s Favourite Dance: American Smooth to “Someone You Loved” by Lewis Capaldi
Ellie Muir14 December 2024 13:23