Strictly Come Dancing live: Bookies reveal new frontrunner to win Glitterball trophy

George Clarke has said he’s enjoyed his time on Strictly because it’s given him a satisfactory reason to miss out on social plans.

“I am thinking about dance all the time,” the YouTube star said.

Not sure what he’s going to do after next week’s final…

This year’s Strictly Christmas Special will mark hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly’s final episode.

However, both presenters have admitted the reality of their imminent departure is yet to fully sink in, with Daly saying she’s been too ‘absorbed’ in the currently series to think about it.

As the Christmas Special is pre-filmed, next week’s final will mark Winkleman and Daly’s last live show. Yet, they’ve banned themselves from crying.

“I think we will be emotional, but of course, it won’t be about us. It’ll be about the winners,” said Winkleman.

“But afterwards, we will hold each other very tight and cry. Because it’s a lot.”

The 2025 Strictly series might almost be over but fans can look forward to the Christmas special, which is set to air on Christmas Day at 5.30pm.

Meet the six celebrities who’ll dance under the watchful gaze of judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke:

Strictly fans were left concerned for Katya Jones after she was eliminated from the competition alongside Lewis Cope last weekend.

Jones broke down in tears as she hailed Cope and said she blames herself for his premature exit, leaving fans worried that she was being too hard on herself.

In a Sliding Doors confession, Strictly newcomer Julian Caillon revealed he almost gave up on the BBC dance competition entirely after several failed auditions.

He told The Independent, “I just missed out and for me, I was like ‘okay, it would have been cool, but that’s alright'”. Look at him now…

Amber Davies has shared that the backlash online following Lewis Cope’s elimination has been “tough” for her to handle.

The Love Island star described the former Emmerdale star as her “rock” in the competition and said them facing each other in the dance off was “unfortunate”.

“I’d just like to remind everyone, I wasn’t meant to be here,” Davies told fans. “I am just doing my best.”

• Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon: Waltz to “At This Moment” by Michael Bublé and a Salsa to “Rhythm Is Gonna Get You / Get on Your Feet” by Gloria Estefan

• George Clarke and Alexis Warr: Charleston to “We No Speak Americano” by Yolanda Be Cool as well as a Samba to “Volare” by Gipsy Kings

• Karen Carney and Carlos Gu: Salsa to “Turn the Beat Around” by Vicki Sue Robinson and Waltz to One Moment in Time by Whitney Houston

• Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin: Couple’s Choice to “Fly Me to the Moon” by Raye and Tango to “Higher” by Michael Bublé

Tonight’s semi-final kicks off at 6.35pm and the remaining couples must dance twice to secure a place in the grand final.

Tomorrow’s results show will air at 7.45pm.