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After several weeks of fierce competition, the finalists of Strictly Come Dancing are ready to perform in the grand finale. Of the original 15 celebrity contestants, only three couples remain: Amber Davies, George Clarke, and Karen Carney, all competing for the prestigious glitterball trophy. This final also marks the end of an era for presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who have announced they will be stepping down after this series. Viewers can watch the much-anticipated final on BBC One and iPlayer starting at 19:00 GMT on Saturday.
A key topic sparking debate as the contest reaches its conclusion is Amber Davies’ performing background and whether it has given her an unfair edge. The Love Island alum has come under online scrutiny because of her prior experience in West End productions such as Pretty Woman, 9 to 5: The Musical, and The Great Gatsby, as well as her participation in the 16th series of Dancing on Ice. Speaking to reporters during a Strictly press conference, Amber acknowledged the criticism but also highlighted the support she has received. “I have experience compared to these two,” she said, referencing the other finalists, “I’m not shying away from that. However, I would say that the love actually does outshine the hate.” When asked if she feels deserving of a win, Amber stressed the dedication she has put in, stating, “I feel like I have worked just as hard as these guys going into the final, because I had to fight to get into the final.” This backlash seems part of a recurring pattern on the show, where viewers sometimes form opinions about contestants that differ from those of the judges or the public vote. For example, earlier this season Lewis Cope faced criticism for his background as a child actor in Billy Elliot, while last year JB Gill was scrutinised for his previous dance experience as part of JLS.
Karen Carney’s progression to the final is a milestone as she is the first footballer to advance this far in Strictly history. She described the experience as both “weird” and something to be “really, really proud” of. Speaking at the press conference, the former Lioness admitted, “I can’t believe a footballer is in the final.” Along with her dance partner Carlos Gu, Karen revealed that the journey on the show has been transformative for her confidence. “I always knew in my heart Strictly would be the thing that would fix me… It’s by far the happiest I’ve ever been,” she shared. Her story resonates with viewers who often appreciate unexpected achievements and overcoming odds, similar to last year’s winner Chris McCausland, who was Strictly’s first blind contestant.
Social media influencer George Clarke also expressed amazement at making it this far. Describing the experience as “mental,” he remarked that the competition is “a completely different world” than what he is normally accustomed to. Clarke, who dances with Alexis Warr, pointed out that both he and fellow online personality AngryGinge — recently crowned king of the jungle on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! — signal a shift in mainstream television. “I feel like it’s a whole demographic that hasn’t really been touched massively in mainstream TV,” he said, highlighting how shows like Strictly and I’m A Celebrity are engaging younger, digitally savvy audiences in new ways
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