Emotions will be high during tonight\u2019s episode, as the show\u2019s legendary hosting duo Tess Daly<\/a> and Claudia Winkleman deliver their final live show<\/a> before stepping down, while celebrities Karen Carney<\/a>, Amber Davies<\/a> and George Clarke compete for the Glitterball trophy<\/a>.<\/p>\n Each couple will dance three times, including a Showdance, as well as revisiting their favourite routine from the series and a judges\u2019 pick. <\/p>\n The audience\u2019s votes alone will decide which couple walk away as champions, as the judges\u2019 scores are purely for guidance.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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<\/a> on the show. Skinner has said he is seeking legal advice.<\/p>\n Presenters Daly and Winkleman announced in autumn that they were leaving the programme because it \u201cfeels like the right time\u201d. Their last episode will be the pre-recorded Christmas special. <\/p>\n Follow along with our live updates, below…<\/p>\n Strictly Come Dancing 2025 final <\/a>Shirley Ballas says she was unfairly blamed for Lewis Cope elimination<\/p>\n Shirley Ballas has claimed she received the brunt of the blame for Lewis Cope\u2019s elimination from Strictly.<\/p>\n Former Emmerdale star Cope was sent home from the BBC series in the quarter-finals despite being a favourite to win the show.<\/p>\n Ballas, who has been a judge on the BBC series since 2017, said she was \u201ccalled every name in the book\u201d after the shock, having told him his performance hadn\u2019t been his best.<\/p>\n Ellie Muir20 December 2025 17:15<\/p>\n <\/a>Strictly expected to surprise hosts Tess and Claudia with big send-off<\/p>\n An emotional tribute to the departing duo is expected to be lined up for tonight\u2019s grand final.<\/p>\n This will likely include messages from a long line of celebrities and VIP fans who are linked to the show.<\/p>\n Ellie Muir20 December 2025 16:40<\/p>\n <\/a>Songs and dances for tonight’s final revealed<\/p>\n Here are the songs and dances that our Strictly finalists will perform tonight.<\/p>\n \u2022 Showdance \u2013 \u201cRain On Me\u201d by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande <\/p>\n \u2022 Judges’ Pick \u2013 Paso Doble to \u201cDream On\u201d by Aerosmith (from week eight)<\/p>\n \u2022 Favourite Dance \u2013 Jive to \u201cProud Mary\u201d (from week 10)<\/p>\n \u2022 Showdance \u2013 \u201cHuman\u201d by The Killers <\/p>\n \u2022 Judges’ Pick \u2013 Viennese Waltz to \u201cSomebody to Love\u201d by Queen (from week seven)<\/p>\n \u2022 Favourite Dance \u2013 Paso Doble to \u201cGame of Survival\u201d by Ruelle (from week two)<\/p>\n \u2022 Showdance \u2013 \u201cInner Smile\u201d by Texas <\/p>\n \u2022 Judges’ Pick \u2013 Argentine Tango to \u201cRed Right Hand\u201d by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds (from week six)<\/p>\n \u2022 Favourite Dance \u2013 Jive to \u201cOne Way Or Another\u201d by Blondie (from week one)<\/p>\n Ellie Muir20 December 2025 16:15<\/p>\n <\/a>Everything you need to know about tonight’s final…<\/p>\n \u2022 The final will kick off on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 7pm.<\/p>\n \u2022 The show will begin with a group routine from the professional dancers and this year\u2019s finalists, before they each perform three times.<\/p>\n \u2022 Each couple will perform their favourite routine from the series, a judges\u2019 pick and their Showdance.<\/p>\n \u2022 Members of the Strictly class of 2025 will return to the dance floor one last time for a group number.<\/p>\n \u2022 Votes alone will decide who walks away with the Glitterball, as the judges’ scores are just for guidance.<\/p>\n \u2022 One final thing: keeeep dancing!<\/p>\n Ellie Muir20 December 2025 15:28<\/p>\n <\/a>Strictly Come Dancing finalists: Who knows their partner better?<\/p>\n Strictly finalists have been put to the test to see who knows their dance partner better ahead of tonight\u2019s show.<\/p>\n Watch them battle it out below:<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Ellie Muir20 December 2025 15:03<\/p>\n <\/a>A glimpse into the backstage antics today…<\/p>\n Tonight\u2019s finalists have shared a chaotic video of them scooting down the Elstree Studio hallways on a wheelie chair as they prepare for the show.<\/p>\n Looks like they\u2019re warming up properly!<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Ellie Muir20 December 2025 14:42<\/p>\n <\/a>Tess Daly has given a glimpse into how the BBC team are celebrating her<\/p>\n 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: \u201cGrateful for the best team on the last day it\u2019s the FINAL!\u201d<\/p>\n Ellie Muir20 December 2025 14:05<\/p>\n <\/a>Who do you think will be tonight’s winner?<\/p>\n Take a look back at our finalists\u2019 Strictly journeys over the past three months. <\/p>\n Let us know in the comments who you think will win. My guess is that Karen has it in the bag!<\/p>\n Ellie Muir20 December 2025 14:02<\/p>\n![\"It\u2019s](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Strictly-Come-Dancing-2022-fowhduex.jpeg\")
It\u2019s farewell to Tess and Claudia tonight… (BBC)<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/strictly-come-dancing.jpeg\")
The judges\u2019 scores won\u2019t count towards the result in tonight\u2019s show (BBC)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1766251873_103_poster.jpg\")
Strictly Come Dancing finalists: Who knows their partner better?<\/a><\/p>\n