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After three months of shimmering dance routines, plenty of injuries and many tears, the Strictly Come Dancing grand final is here.
Emotions will be high during tonight’s episode, as the show’s legendary hosting duo Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman deliver their final live show before stepping down, while celebrities Karen Carney, Amber Davies and George Clarke compete for the Glitterball trophy.
Each couple will dance three times, including a Showdance, as well as revisiting their favourite routine from the series and a judges’ pick.
The audience’s votes alone will decide which couple walk away as champions, as the judges’ scores are purely for guidance.
The final will also include the reunion of the 2025 celebrity cast for a group routine, including Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, Chris Robshaw and Vicky Pattison.
But one contestant will be absent tonight: controversial Apprentice star Thomas Skinner will not make an appearance after he alleged that the BBC rigged his voting figures on the show. Skinner has said he is seeking legal advice.
Presenters Daly and Winkleman announced in autumn that they were leaving the programme because it “feels like the right time”. Their last episode will be the pre-recorded Christmas special.
Follow along with our live updates, below…
Strictly Come Dancing 2025 final Shirley Ballas says she was unfairly blamed for Lewis Cope elimination
Shirley Ballas has claimed she received the brunt of the blame for Lewis Cope’s elimination from Strictly.
Former Emmerdale star Cope was sent home from the BBC series in the quarter-finals despite being a favourite to win the show.
Ballas, who has been a judge on the BBC series since 2017, said she was “called every name in the book” after the shock, having told him his performance hadn’t been his best.
Ellie Muir20 December 2025 17:15
Strictly expected to surprise hosts Tess and Claudia with big send-off
An emotional tribute to the departing duo is expected to be lined up for tonight’s grand final.
This will likely include messages from a long line of celebrities and VIP fans who are linked to the show.
It’s farewell to Tess and Claudia tonight… (BBC)
Ellie Muir20 December 2025 16:40
Songs and dances for tonight’s final revealed
Here are the songs and dances that our Strictly finalists will perform tonight.
• Showdance – “Rain On Me” by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande
• Judges’ Pick – Paso Doble to “Dream On” by Aerosmith (from week eight)
• Favourite Dance – Jive to “Proud Mary” (from week 10)
• Showdance – “Human” by The Killers
• Judges’ Pick – Viennese Waltz to “Somebody to Love” by Queen (from week seven)
• Favourite Dance – Paso Doble to “Game of Survival” by Ruelle (from week two)
• Showdance – “Inner Smile” by Texas
• Judges’ Pick – Argentine Tango to “Red Right Hand” by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds (from week six)
• Favourite Dance – Jive to “One Way Or Another” by Blondie (from week one)
Ellie Muir20 December 2025 16:15
Everything you need to know about tonight’s final…
• The final will kick off on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 7pm.
• The show will begin with a group routine from the professional dancers and this year’s finalists, before they each perform three times.
• Each couple will perform their favourite routine from the series, a judges’ pick and their Showdance.
• Members of the Strictly class of 2025 will return to the dance floor one last time for a group number.
• Votes alone will decide who walks away with the Glitterball, as the judges’ scores are just for guidance.
• One final thing: keeeep dancing!
The judges’ scores won’t count towards the result in tonight’s show (BBC)
Ellie Muir20 December 2025 15:28
Strictly Come Dancing finalists: Who knows their partner better?
Strictly finalists have been put to the test to see who knows their dance partner better ahead of tonight’s show.
Watch them battle it out below:
Strictly Come Dancing finalists: Who knows their partner better?
Strictly Come Dancing finalists Karen Carney and Carlos Gu, Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin, and George Clarke and Alexis Warr have been put to the test to see who knows their dance partner better ahead of the final. The finalists went head-to-head to answer a range of questions, including who is the most irritating during training, and who wants to win Strictly the most. Watch the video to find out who wins. The three remaining couples will battle it out for the 2025 Strictly crown this evening (20 December) as hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman prepare to bid farewell to the competition.
Ellie Muir20 December 2025 15:03
A glimpse into the backstage antics today…
Tonight’s finalists have shared a chaotic video of them scooting down the Elstree Studio hallways on a wheelie chair as they prepare for the show.
Looks like they’re warming up properly!
Ellie Muir20 December 2025 14:42
Tess Daly has given a glimpse into how the BBC team are celebrating her
Posting on her Instagram Stories this morning, Daly shared a photo of her dressing room, which had been decorated with balloons and photos by the Strictly team, alongside the words: “Grateful for the best team on the last day it’s the FINAL!”
Ellie Muir20 December 2025 14:05
Who do you think will be tonight’s winner?
Take a look back at our finalists’ Strictly journeys over the past three months.
Let us know in the comments who you think will win. My guess is that Karen has it in the bag!
Ellie Muir20 December 2025 14:02
Thomas Skinner speaks out about Strictly ‘legal claim’ in extraordinary post
Earlier this afternoon, controversial former contestant Thomas Skinner said he would not be appearing in the celebrities’ group number tonight, claiming the BBC rigged his voting figures on the show and announced he is seeking “legal advice”.
Ellie Muir20 December 2025 14:00
The grand finale will kick off on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 7pm. Get your dancing shoes (and popcorn) ready.
Ellie Muir20 December 2025 13:56