Key Events

Viewers livid as fan-favourite sent home amid spoiler leak

Amber Davies hailed as ‘genuinely amazing’

Karen Carney breaks down in tears as she ‘crumbles’ mid-performance 

Julian’s in tears after Balvinder dance

Balvinder’s emotional admission

Last week’s Strictly Come Dancing result was certainly a shocker as Emmerdale’s Lewis Cope was booted out of the competition after facing West End star Amber Davies in the bottom two, despite both of them being at the top of the leaderboard.

Joining Amber in the bid to make it to the all-important final are EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal, who has set a record after surviving five dance-offs to make it this far, as well as Lioness Karen Carney, and social media star George Clarke, along with their professional partners. Much has been made of the surprising elimination, and at this point, it really could go either way.

This week will be an intense one as each couple will have to showcase two separate routines to impress judges Craig Revel Horwood, Anton Du Beke, Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas. Viewers will also be treated to performances from pop legend Kylie Minogue and 1990s legends Five, but it really is all to play for in the ballroom, so keep dancing!

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In pictures: A look back at last night


Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon (
Image:
CREDIT LINE:BBC/Guy Levy)

Paige Ingram

Who do you think will be in tonight’s dance-off?

Who do you think will be in the dance-off tonight?

Tune into the results show tonight at 19:45 GMT on BBC One to find out which pairs are waltzing to the final.

Paige Ingram

Nikita Kuzmin issues demand to viewers

Nikita Kuzmin took a moment during the Strictly Come Dancing live show on Saturday night (December 13) to address the wave of ‘hate’ aimed at his celebrity partner Amber Davies. Amber, 29, was not originally supposed to be a contestant on this series of Strictly.

Facing Amber, an emotional Nikita said: “You’ve had so much hate every single day from the moment you joined…you’ve had so much hate this week and you came into the training room every single day with a big smile and just ignoring everybody.

Nikita continued, stating that Amber cared ‘more about him’ than herself. He concluded: “I think sometimes and I speak to the audience at home, just guys, please, please be kind, because you (Amber) don’t deserve any of that.”

KEY EVENT

Viewers livid as fan-favourite sent home amid spoiler leak

Fans were left fuming as the spoiler leaked. This week, the semi-finalists faced a tense battle to secure their position in next week’s grand finale and the result caused quite a stir. Read more here.

Jordan Lloyd Beck

A major milestone for Tess!

Saturday’s show was Tess Daly’s 500th as presenter, and she took to social media afterwards to celebrate as she posed with Big Brother host AJ Odudu. The star, who will be stepping down after this series along with Claudia Winkleman, wrote: “What a night A beautiful semi-final and my 500th show. Feeling very lucky to stand alongside such incredible people and share these moments with you at home Great seeing you!”


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Image:
@tessdaly/Instagram)

Daniel Bird

Hugh Jackman supports Balvinder!

Balvinder might have thousands of fans – but she has a new one, Hugh Jackman!

She told the Mirror: “I’m still trying to process it,” Balvinder laughs. “He asked how we’d got on and my friend messaged me saying, ‘He knows who you are.’ I’m working on getting that message sent to me – ideally on video!” The semi-final milestone still hasn’t quite sunk in for either of them, with Balvinder admitting the reality only hits in small, surreal moments.

Jordan Lloyd Beck

Karen tops the leaderboard

Amber may have scored the only 40 for the night, but it was Karen who just snuck forward to reign supreme on the leaderboard with a combined score of 78.


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Image:
BBC)

Jordan Lloyd Beck

George scores 37!

Craig – 8

Motsi – 9

Shirley – 10

Anton – 10

Jordan Lloyd Beck

George and Alexis wow with school disco-style performance

The YouTube star and his partner closed out the show with a Charleston to We Speak No Americano, with fans rushing to praise the routine and compare its setting to iconic comedy The Inbetweeners. One fan wrote: “That was George and Alexis’ dance of the season – he was made for that dance. Well done guys,” and another said: “Why do I feel like this Inbetweeners Charleston is the most authentically George dance yet?” and a third added: “sorry just thought about it for an extended moment and lol is there really a market for an Inbetweeners themed dance in 2025? I’m cracking up”


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Image:
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Jordan Lloyd Beck

Karen scores 39

Karen and Carlos’ second dance was a Salsa set to Turn the Beat Around.

Craig – 9

Motsi – 10

Shirley – 10

Anton – 10

Jordan Lloyd Beck

Amber scores a 40!

Craig – 10

Motsi – 10

Shirley – 10

Anton – 10

KEY EVENT

Amber Davies hailed as ‘genuinely amazing’

Prior to her Couple’s Choice, set to Fly Me To The Moon, Welsh-born Amber reflected on her rise to fame from winning Love Island to carving a career out in West End theatre. After the spellbiding performance, one fan wrote on X: “Amber you are genuinely amazing!!” and another said: “C’mon Amber! Do it for Wales.” Judge Motsi Mabuse remarked that the dance was amongst the “best” in the history of the show.


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Image:
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Jordan Lloyd Beck

Balvinder scores 35

Following their second dance of the night, a Waltz to Michael Buble’s At This Moment, the EastEnders actress and her professional partner Julian scored a 35

Craig – 8

Motsi – 9

Shirley – 9

Anton – 9

Jordan Lloyd Beck

George scores 39 after sizzling Samba

The YouTube star had the judges in stitches as he entertained the nation with his sparkly red outfit, and viewers at home were quick to praise him as well. One wrote on X: “Touch of the Elvis reaction to those hips I think George made a real impression his partner & he are so suited Could be in the final!” and another said: “Okay George, I was not expecting that!”


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Image:
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Craig – 8

Motsi – 9

Shirley – 9

Anton – 9

Jordan Lloyd Beck

Karen scores 39!

Craig – 9

Motsi – 10

Shirley – 10

Anton – 10

KEY EVENT

Karen Carney breaks down in tears as she ‘crumbles’ mid-performance

It was an emotional one for Lioness Karen as she and Carlos Gu after they did their Waltz to Whitney Houston’s One Moment In Time, and she became overwhelmed mid-performance. She said: “I just love this guy, I looked into him and I crumbled. And then I saw him go mid-dance.”

Jordan Lloyd Beck

Amber scores a 37!

Amber and Nikita’s first dance this week was a Tango to Michael Buble’s Higher. Teasing her upcoming Couple’s Choice, she said: “It’s got everything in it!”

Craig – 9

Motsi – 10

Shirley – 9

Anton – 9


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Image:
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Jordan Lloyd Beck

Balvinder scores 35!

Craig – 8

Motsi – 9

Shirley – 9

Anton – 9

KEY EVENT

Julian’s in tears after Balvinder dance

Balvinder and Julian opened the show with a Salsa, and the EastEnders star’s professional partner was in tears after he told Claudia Winkleman that his mum had flown from Australia just to support him for the night. Struggling to control his emotions, he said: “My mum flew all the way from Australia to surprise me, just to come watch the final. She’s going back on Monday, back to work, and I’ve all I’ve ever wanted…sorry…all I’ve ever wanted to do is make my family proud.”


Julian Callion was in tears after his dance with Balvinder (
Image:
BBC)

KEY EVENT

Balvinder’s emotional admission

Balvinder Sopal and her professional partner Julian Caillon opened the show this week with a Salsa, but the EastEnders star has set a record after making it through five dance-offs to be here. Emotionally reflecting on her time before taking to the stage she said: “I’ve come a real long way! The dance off is not the best place to be but for me, it means we get to just implement and try and enjoy it.” In response, her Australian partner said: “What a priviledge that we get to do this again, I was on the other side of the world wishing I could do this.”

Jordan Lloyd Beck

Tess and Claudia wow with stunning outfits

Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman left Strictly Come Dancing fans speechless with their look. The presenting duo, who are no strangers when it comes to dazzling fans, looked sensational as they posed together for the live semi-final. Read more here.


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Image:
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Jordan Lloyd Beck

Tess Daly left ‘worried’ about future after Strictly exit

Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman shocked the nation in October when they suddenly announced that this year’s edition of Strictly Come Dancing would be their last after 15 years as hosts. According to reports, mum of two Tess, who is married to radio presenter Vernon Kay, is “struggling to find work” after saying goodbye to the dancing TV show, unlike her co-host Claudia. Read more here.

KEY EVENT

Fans feeling ‘anxious’ before the show even starts

Fans of Strictly have admitted they are feeling “anxious” before the semi-final has even begun its live broadcast. One viewer, a fan of Lioness Karen Carney, wrote on Twitter: “Scared for kaz tonight,” and another wrote: “10 minutes to go. Very anxious… No matter what happens, all of my votes are backing Kaz. We need her in the final. To see two iconic routines again, and a Taylor Swift show dance. Come on Karen, you can do this!”

KEY EVENT

Amber Davies defended by co-star ahead of final

Much has been made of the fact that Amber Davies has a considerable amount of experince as West End star, but fellow actress Hannah Lowther has rushed to her defense ahead of the final. Read what she had to say here.

Jordan Lloyd Beck

Fans issue plea for Balvinder

Even though she’s made it through five dance-offs, some fans have begged the public and judges to back EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal and make sure she gets through to the final. One said: “If Bal doesn’t get a 10 tonight, then something is seriously wrong with the judges. She’s deserved a 10 for so many weeks now – give her what’s rightfully hers!” Another said: “I’m team Balvinder and Julian. They’re in the semi-final, and what a journey they’ve had – probably one of the greatest in #Strictly history. We need Balvinder in that final for so many reasons: representation, growth, and showing people that you never give up the fight. VOTE!” A third joked: “Would be iconic if she got the BalWINder!”

Jordan Lloyd Beck

Last week’s shock elimination

Last week certainly was a shocker as top dancer Lewis Cope was kicked out of the competition after a tense dance-off against Amber Davies. Reflecting on his journey, he shared with presenter Tess Daly: “It’s been more than I could have ever wished for!” Read more here.


Lewis Cope’s Strictly journey came to an end last Saturday (
Image:
BBC)

KEY EVENT

Strictly fans in tears over sudden realisation

Fans have been left in tears as they suddenly reaslied that Lewis and Katya will not be appearing tonight. One wrote on X: “There will be a Lewis and Katya shaped hole in Strictly tonight [broke heart emoji] and another said: “first show without lewis and katya [cryign emojis]”