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The Strictly Come Dancing the final is upon us, as well as the four couples prepared to take to the dance floor last time tonight.
Those fighting for the glitterball trophy are Chris McCausland and his partner Dianne BuswellSarah Hadland and Vito Coppola, Tasha Ghouri dances with Aljaž Škorjanec and JB Gill and his professional partner Lauren Oakley.
McCausland is a firm favorite to win, and if he takes home the glitterball trophy tonight, it will make him the first blind competitor to become Strictly champion.
However, the comedian is said to have faced a last-minute change of plan as his parents are unable to travel to Hertfordshire to support him in the final due to illness.
His mother Valerie has come down with flu and will not be able to travel from their home in Liverpool to Elstree Studios in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, where the live episode will be filmed. McCausland’s father, John, said The Daily Mail that he would stay at home to take care of her.
Ahead of the final, McCausland’s dance partner Buswell shared an emotional message to the stand-up comic as he appeared on Strictly spin-off show It takes two.
Buswell broke down in tears when she was shown a video of McCausland’s dance routine, and she praised him as “the most honest man I’ve ever met”.
“Chris taught me so much. Mostly about honesty. He is the most honest man I have ever met. He wears his heart on his sleeve and taught me just to be myself,” Buswell said.
She continued: “I think you put a lot of pressure on yourself to be this perfect dancer or this perfect person. Chris just got something out of me that few people can. Just do your best and it doesn’t matter if things are perfect, like I said here before. Things can be beautiful without the perfectionism of things.”

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In tonight’s finale, the couples will dance three numbers each: the judges’ choice, the show dance and the couple’s favorite dance from the series.
The Strictly Come Dancing the final will be broadcast at 18:00 on BBC One. Check out the full list of songs and dances below.
The full list of songs and games for tonight’s finale
Each couple will dance three times in tonight’s live finale, including one judges’ choice, one show dance and the couples’ favorite dance. Find out all the songs and dance styles below.
JB Gill and Lauren Oakley
Judge’s Choice: Viennese Waltz to the song “Let’s Fly a Kite” by Mary Poppins
Show Dance: Motown Medley
Couple’s favorite dance: Samba to “Mas Que Nada” by Sergio Mendes
Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell
Judge’s Choice: Couple’s Choice for “Instant Karma! (We All Shine On)” by John Lennon
Show Dance: “You Get What You Give” by New Radicals
The couple’s favorite dance: the waltz to “You’ll Never Walk Alone” by Gerry and the Pacemaker
Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola
Judge’s Choice: American Smooth to “Proud” by Heather Small
Show Dance: “Cabaret” by the Metropole Orchestra
Favorite couple dance: Cha Cha to “Like A Prayer” by Madonna
Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec
Judge’s Pick: Couple Picks for “What About Us” by P!nk
Show Dance: “Sing, Sing, Sing” by Benny Goodman
Couple’s favorite dance: American Smooth to “Someone You Loved” by Lewis Capaldi
Ellie Muir14 December 2024 13:23