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The Judges’ Pick is their Couple’s Choice from week eight. Dianne was ill with a stomach bug but soldiered through brilliantly. Now she can enjoy it more. All-white outfits. Starts off standing on a table and chair, then hops down onto the floor for a euphoric mix of jazz and musical theatre. Slight mistake with top hats, maybe? Joy and showmanship, really selling it hard. He’s improved his shapes and is giving it plenty of pizzazz. That blackout moment to represent his blindness and immerse us in his sightless world hasn’t lost any of its power, followed by a spinning lift and a euphoric finish. You’re a superstar, Chris, that’s what you are. It got 33 points last time. Higher, higher!
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Song: Instant Karma (We All Shine On) by John Lennon. In 1970, this Phil Spector-produced track became the first solo single by a Beatle to sell a million copies in the US. It’s one of the fastest-released songs in pop history, arriving in record stores just 10 days after it was written. As Lennon said: “I wrote it for breakfast, recorded it for lunch and we’re putting it out for dinner.”
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McCausland and Dianne Buswell.","caption":"Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell.","credit":"Photograph: Guy Levy/PA"}}],"attributes":{"pinned":false,"keyEvent":true,"summary":false},"blockCreatedOn":1734200869000,"blockCreatedOnDisplay":"18.27 GMT","blockLastUpdated":1734201094000,"blockLastUpdatedDisplay":"18.31 GMT","blockFirstPublished":1734201094000,"blockFirstPublishedDisplay":"18.31 GMT","blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone":"18.31","title":"Chris and Dianne’s Couple’s Choice","contributors":[],"primaryDateLine":"Sat 14 Dec 2024 18.37 GMT","secondaryDateLine":"First published on Sat 14 Dec 2024 17.30 GMT"},{"id":"675dcc218f08ded9b2a39230","elements":[{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
Their Judges’ Pick is their contempo-waft Couple’s Choice from Icons Week. Because P!nk totally counts as an icon, as does Bruno Mars. Ahem. The song means a lot to Tasha Ghouri as an empowerment anthem. Choreographed by Lukas McFarlane, who has worked with P!nk herself, it’s contemporary and lyrical in style. Barefoot and beautiful with lovely lifts and full of feeling. Exquisite elevation and extensions. Aljaž Škorjanec said it was his favourite story he’s ever told on Strictly. It scored 39 points last time, so there’s room for improvement *glares at Craig*. Tasha just needs to let herself go, feel the lyrics and show that extra layer of emotion. I think she has, although a few of the transitions looked a tiny bit lumpy to me.
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Song: What About Us by P!nk. The 2017 electro-pop chart-topper has politically charged lyrics about Trump’s government failing the American people. Happy New Year, voters!
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He gets a special pair of commemorative deeley boppers from Claudia.
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First up is the Judges’ Pick. This one’s from Musicals Week, just a fortnight ago, but nobody will mind seeing this Mary Poppins-themed showstopper again. JB Gill and Lauren Oakley spin and twirl romantically around the floor in an immaculate routine, full of flair and fun. No extra backing dancers this time, so we can focus on their nostalgic characterisation and all the technical details. Swing, sway and flow. Bags of style. Practically perfect in every possible way. They scored 39 points last time, only a oivot and a sticky-up thumb away from perfection. Surely he’s fixed that and Craig will give JB the thumbs-up this time?
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Song: Let’s Go Fly a Kite from Mary Poppins. The breezy song from the 1964 musical was written by the Sherman brothers, inspired by their father Al, who was a keen amateur kite-maker.
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We get our first sighting of the four finalists. Not much fancy dress but their outfits do provide clues to their first dances. Cor blimey, Mary Poppins, up the apples and stairs.
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The esteemed paddle-raising panel arrive in all their finery for the last time this series. Motsi Mabuse is zebra print, Shirley Ballas ina gold ballgown. Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood in tuxedos. Tess and Claud join in the welcome dance – and don’t mess it up this time. Attagirls.
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Here come our hostly duo, so time for the last couture comparison of the series. Tess Daly is in red bodycon. Claudia Winkleman is monochrome. Claud goes out on a win.
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We open with a group number from the Strictly pros. It’s set to Dreamer by Livin’ Joy (tune) with sparkly gold outfits and spicy Latin moves. And here come our finalists as part of the action.
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Cue clap-along credits. Our last chance to enjoy this year’s title sequence. What’s your favourite bit? For me, it’s a dance-off between Pete Wicks’ hair toss, Paul Merson’s bum-bump and Sarah Hadland booping Vito’s snoot.
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A male professional has never lifted the glitterball trophy twice but both Aljaž Škorjanec and Vito Coppola are bidding to do just that tonight, having previously triumphed with Abbey Clancy and Ellie Leach respectively.
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Meanwhile, Lauren Oakley or Dianne Buswell would become first-time winners. Who’ll get pro bragging rights? Five minutes and counting down…
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And for once, we don’t mean Pete Wicks’ pink ones from Blackpool. A rerun of Wallace & Gromit’s Oscar-winning 1993 animation is on BBC One now, warming us up for their comeback on Christmas Day. Just me or does Feathers McGraw look a bit like Anton du Beke?
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Mere minutes to wait now, my hoofing hombres…
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Sarah Hadland has scored between 36 and 39 points on seven occasions this series. Can she score her first maximum when it really counts? Tasha Ghouri has scored two perfect 40s and JB Gill one. They’ll be trying to tempt out those precious paddles again tonight.
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It’s 10 minutes until glittery go-time…
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Strictly’s Saturday night audience has been pretty steady at around the 9million mark this series. That’s expected to rise to 11million-plus for tonight’s final.
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Proof that despite rumours of its demise, terrestrial TV remains unbeatable at creating communal, nation-uniting events like tonight. Expect even more whopping ratings for Gavin & Stacey on Christmas Day, for example.
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It’s 10 minutes until the glitterball starts spinning…
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We’ll see a typically Strictly mix of styles in tonight’s final. There’s two ballroom routines (a waltz and a Viennese), a pair of Latin numbers (a samba and a cha-cha), plus two American smooths, two Couple’s Choices and, of course, those four eagerly awaited showdances.
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Hold tight. Scream if you want to go faster. It’s 15 minutes until ballroom blast-off…
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Eyes down for one last game. Tick them off when you see them on screen! Take a drink for each! Wake up wrapped in tinsel under the Christmas tree with a mystery Bailey’s stain on your novelty jumper! Here’s your last 10-point spotter’s guide of the series…
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Craig declares a dance as “one word: a-may-zing” or “one word: fab-u-lous”
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Miranda Hart or a member of JLS cheers on their friend from the studio audience
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Heartstring-tugging messages from loved ones designed to make the finalists cry
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Vito amuses Claudia with a tortuous food or animal analogy
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Paul Merson rides a horse, kicks a football or both during the reunion routine
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A finalist unconvincingly insists they don’t mind the result because “I’m already a winner”
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Someone describes their “journey” as a “rollercoaster”
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A celebrity describes their pro partner as “part of the family” or “a friend for life”
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Ginger Neil, Katya Jones and Carlos Gu elbow their way to the front of Clauditorium and hog the camera
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Tess tells a celebrity “the crowd are on their feet” or “look at your little face”
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In last weekend’s semi-final, it was lion-maned, otter-damp reality star Pete Wicks and his pro partner Jowita Przystal who departed the dancefloor. Pete went from novice to semi-finalist, scored everything from a three to a 10, and wore everything from a loincloth to those infamous pink pleather slacks.
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After a surprise 12-week run, he rightly went home – but he’ll be back tonight for that climactic reunion routine. Will those trousers reappear too?
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The much-loved Liverpudlian comedian is the overwhelming odds-on favourite with bookmakers to lift the trophy tonight. JB Gill is their second-placed tip, with Sarah Hadland in third and Tasha Ghouri as the rank outsider. But we’ve had upsets in finals before and it’s all to dance for.
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We’ll get our first clues in 20 minutes…
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Email just in from regular reader Peter Gibbs, who says:
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All the finalists have said how much dance will continue to be part of their life from now on, no matter what. Which is exactly what I said about making my own bread after a weekend sourdough course. And no, I didn’t.
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Thank you, livebloggers and commenters, for a wonderful ride. You’re all so knowledgeable, kind, patient and positive.
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For any polling, I would prefer the winner to be Chris or JB (very patriarchal, though it’s so influenced by JB’s partner for me). Maybe Tasha third but she will come last of the finalists, I guess. I’m a dreadful cynic, but you and your blog community is making me a better person. Or trying to be one. Enjoy the show everyone!
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Our final four will perform three routines apiece tonight: their own favourite from the series, one chosen by the judges and, of course, the only dance us viewers haven’t seen before – their showdance. It’s a chance to show us what they’ve learned over the last 13 weeks and for their pro partners to flex their choreography muscles.
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There are no rules. No limits on how many styles they can combine. Tricks and lifts aren’t just allowed, they’re positively encouraged. Expect our pairings to throw everything (including the kitsch in-sync) at their last chance to impress. Can’t wait but I’m afraid we have to. It’s still 25 minutes until the sparkly curtain comes up…
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Somebody’s mantelpiece is about to acquire some extra festive sparkle. Good evening and welcome to the big one. The huge one. It’s the grand glitterball final of Strictly Come Dancing 2024.
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I’m Michael, your cyber dance partner. I’d love you to watch along with me as our four finalists launch their valiant last bid to lift that coveted mirrored trophy.
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If they thought learning two full routines for last week’s semi-final was tough, their sore feet ain’t seen nothing yet. Tonight they will tackle three dances apiece. Two they’ve performed earlier in the contest. The third, of course, is the anything-goes showdance – always a series highlight and a keenly awaited treat for the showpiece occasion.
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Tonight’s epic live show also sees the brilliant Rae back in the ballroom and the Strictly class of 2024 return for one last razzle-dazzle group routine. It promises to be a spectacular two-and-a-half hour climax to a memorable series. The judges’ scores are for guidance only and the result is solely down to the public vote, so anything can happen on the night.
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An early start means it’s showtime at 6pm on BBC One. I’ll be liveblogging from 5.30pm, providing build-up, rolling coverage, analysis, insta-reaction, slightly nerdy stats and ballroom backchat. So for the last Saturday night of the year, pour a pre-festive libation, stock up on snacks and I’ll see you on the sofa.
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As always, I’d absolutely love to hear from you too. You can tweet me @michaelhogan, email me michael.hogan.freelance@guardian.co.uk and the comments section below is open for glitterball business. I’ll keep a Shirley Ballas-style beady eye on it all (but without the tiny shoes) and quote a selection of your comments up top.
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In Strictly’s landmark 20th year, will our champion be Sarah Hadland, JB Gill, Tasha Ghouri or Chris McCausland? It’s nearly time to staaaaart glitterball-winning!
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Key events
Judges’ scores for Chris and Dianne: 8, 10, 10, 10 for a total of 38 points. Chris is “overwhelmed” and says “Craig is a sweetheart”, despite “giving a score to his own teaching”.
Judges’ comments for Chris and Dianne: Craig says “transitions smoother, hip action fantastic, full of showbiz pizzazz”. Motsi says “I’m a mess because of you, I said I wouldn’t cry, you bring the joy”. Shirley says “extraordinary flexibility and great details, genuine improvement”. Anton concludes “just wow, embellishments, extraordinary musicality, I’d give it 12 if I could”. Lee Mack is in the studio audience cheering on his mate Chris. No, really. Would I lie to you?
Chris and Dianne’s Couple’s Choice
The Judges’ Pick is their Couple’s Choice from week eight. Dianne was ill with a stomach bug but soldiered through brilliantly. Now she can enjoy it more. All-white outfits. Starts off standing on a table and chair, then hops down onto the floor for a euphoric mix of jazz and musical theatre. Slight mistake with top hats, maybe? Joy and showmanship, really selling it hard. He’s improved his shapes and is giving it plenty of pizzazz. That blackout moment to represent his blindness and immerse us in his sightless world hasn’t lost any of its power, followed by a spinning lift and a euphoric finish. You’re a superstar, Chris, that’s what you are. It got 33 points last time. Higher, higher!
Song: Instant Karma (We All Shine On) by John Lennon. In 1970, this Phil Spector-produced track became the first solo single by a Beatle to sell a million copies in the US. It’s one of the fastest-released songs in pop history, arriving in record stores just 10 days after it was written. As Lennon said: “I wrote it for breakfast, recorded it for lunch and we’re putting it out for dinner.”
Judges’ scores for Tasha and Aljaž: 9, 10, 10, 10 for a total of 39 points. Same as last time.
Judges’ comments for Tasha and Aljaž: Motsi says “beautiful, all about the emotions, your grace and freedom made it look easy, you have star quality”. Shirley says “you have a magical musical body, improved and in the zone”. Anton says “spectacular and exceptional, you’re quite possibly the best dancer we’ve ever had”. Craig concludes “needed a little bit more earth but stunning”. Another 40 incoming? Or will Craig make it a 39?
Tasha and Aljaž’s Couple’s Choice
Their Judges’ Pick is their contempo-waft Couple’s Choice from Icons Week. Because P!nk totally counts as an icon, as does Bruno Mars. Ahem. The song means a lot to Tasha Ghouri as an empowerment anthem. Choreographed by Lukas McFarlane, who has worked with P!nk herself, it’s contemporary and lyrical in style. Barefoot and beautiful with lovely lifts and full of feeling. Exquisite elevation and extensions. Aljaž Škorjanec said it was his favourite story he’s ever told on Strictly. It scored 39 points last time, so there’s room for improvement *glares at Craig*. Tasha just needs to let herself go, feel the lyrics and show that extra layer of emotion. I think she has, although a few of the transitions looked a tiny bit lumpy to me.
Song: What About Us by P!nk. The 2017 electro-pop chart-topper has politically charged lyrics about Trump’s government failing the American people. Happy New Year, voters!
Craig’s century of 10s
He gets a special pair of commemorative deeley boppers from Claudia.
Judges’ scores for JB and Lauren: 10, 10, 10, 10 for a total of 40 points. A (kite) flying start.
Judges’ comments for JB and Lauren: Anton says “amazing, I’m delighted, loved it, better than before, I’m an amazing teacher, more sway and your head line had improved”. Craig says “not happy, I couldn’t find anything wrong with it, elegance and quality”. Motsi says “elevated and improved it, light footwork, beautiful partnering, shone like a star in the solo sections”. Shirley concludes “a grand start to a finale”. Are we about to see our first perfect 40 of the final?
JB and Lauren’s Viennese waltz
First up is the Judges’ Pick. This one’s from Musicals Week, just a fortnight ago, but nobody will mind seeing this Mary Poppins-themed showstopper again. JB Gill and Lauren Oakley spin and twirl romantically around the floor in an immaculate routine, full of flair and fun. No extra backing dancers this time, so we can focus on their nostalgic characterisation and all the technical details. Swing, sway and flow. Bags of style. Practically perfect in every possible way. They scored 39 points last time, only a oivot and a sticky-up thumb away from perfection. Surely he’s fixed that and Craig will give JB the thumbs-up this time?
Song: Let’s Go Fly a Kite from Mary Poppins. The breezy song from the 1964 musical was written by the Sherman brothers, inspired by their father Al, who was a keen amateur kite-maker.