Published: 13 December 2024
The Strictly Come Dancing grand final takes place on Saturday 14 December from 6pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
After months of dancing and many hours of training, it all comes down to this. Our finalists will each perform three times, including a spectacular showdance, in a bid to be your champions.
Our professionals join RAYE for an incredible performance, and the cast of 2024 return to the dance floor for one last routine.
And ahead of the big night, our final four couples, the judges and Tess & Claudia share their reflections on a fab-u-lous 20th anniversary series of Strictly Come Dancing.
What time is the Strictly Grand Final on TV and iPlayer?
You can join Tess and Claudia in the ballroom on Saturday 14 December from 6pm on BBC One and iPlayer
Strictly Final Song and Dance List
- Judge’s Pick: Viennese Waltz to Let’s Go Fly A Kite from Mary Poppins
- Show Dance to a Motown Medley
- Couple’s Favourite Dance: Samba to Mas Que Nada by Sergio Mendes
- Judges’ Pick: Couple’s Choice to Instant Karma! (We All Shine On) by John Lennon
- Show Dance to You Get What You Give by New Radicals
- Couple’s Favourite Dance: Waltz to You’ll Never Walk Alone by Gerry and the Pacemakers
- Judges’ Pick: American Smooth to Proud by Heather Small
- Show Dance to Cabaret by Metropole Orkest
- Couple’s Favourite Dance: Cha Cha to Like A Prayer by Madonna
- Judges’ Pick: Couple’s Choice to What About Us by P!nk
- Show Dance to Sing, Sing, Sing by Benny Goodman
- Couple’s Favourite Dance: American Smooth to Someone You Loved by Lewis Capaldi
Meet The Finalists
JB and Lauren
How would you describe your journey on Strictly Come Dancing in three words?
JB: Unique. Exhilarating. Developmental. Lauren: Delightful, exciting and giggly.
How did your partnership evolve over the weeks?
JB: I feel like it’s been gradual which has been helpful – it’s been great.
Lauren: Really nicely, I feel like I’m part of his family. I phone JB’s wife and he doesn’t even know about it. The vibes are immaculate.
What does being in the final of Strictly Come Dancing mean to you? Would you class it as one of your career highlights?
JB: Yeah absolutely! Being in the final has to be a career highlight. I don’t get to do too many competitions like this, so being in the final is an incredible achievement. My goal has always been to get through each week but I’ve always said if you can get to the final, it’s anyone’s to win. My mum’s saying is “someone has to win, so why can’t it be you?” It’s all to play for. You have to give 120%.
Lauren: Yes it is one of my career highlights and it means everything to me to be in the final because I’ve managed to get JB there and that’s the most important thing. I want him to be proud of himself and I want his family and his kids to be proud of him. I know it means the world to him and therefore it means the world to me.
If you could give one piece of advice to future contestants, what would it be?
JB: Prepare your body! Make sure you get yourself as fit as you can and just be prepared for the body to go through lots of different changes.
Lauren: This might a bit controversial, but don’t take it too seriously because you dance better when you’re yourself and you’re not thinking too much. I’ve learned from experience that when somebody is finding the lighter side of the training and performance, and people remind themselves that dancing is great and fun and cathartic, people dance better. So if you take that pressure away and enjoy it for what it is, then you’ll be the best version of your dancing self.
Did you discover anything surprising about yourself during the competition?
JB: It’s intense, but it’s made me realise how versatile people can be. Lauren always says, “When you think you have nothing left to give, you’ve actually got another 40%.” That’s something I’ve been reminded of. Oh and that Lauren is an incredible dancer! She doesn’t like to admit though but she’s sick!
Lauren: …That I’m not very good at taking compliments! I feel like I’ve developed as a professional dancer with a partner because I’m able to find the light moments amongst it all.
Chris and Dianne
How would you describe your Strictly journey in three words?
Chris: Unbelievable, surprising and emotional.
Dianne: Special, exceeded expectations, joyous.
How has your relationship changed during your time on Strictly?
Dianne: It really hasn’t changed much at all has it? We’ve been pretty much the same. I get on his nerves a bit more nowadays but other than that, it’s the same!
Chris: It hasn’t really, I think we kind of just hit it off straight away, didn’t we?
Dianne: It’s been very similar from the word go to now. I think we understand each other a lot more now obviously. I know what works for Chris, what he might worry about, for example, we performed first the other day and I was thinking about how I can stop him worrying. I know little things that he does now, and vice versa and he knows things that might make me panic or worry.
Chris: Dianne’s learned a lot about patience. There’s a lot of overlaps in our personality and up bringings. I think you could pick up Dianne’s family and drop them in Liverpool and they would be the same family.
What does it mean to be in the Strictly final?
Chris: An extra week without sleep!
Dianne: Ah he’s got emotional there so he went for a joke! It’s incredible. It’s not something we ever thought would be possible when we started. We’ve surprised ourselves and other people. It’s the biggest surprise that we’ve made it all the way to the end. Reaching the final is the cherry on the cake.
Chris: I feel like we’ve never stayed in the competition above anybody that got higher scores than us, so it feels like we’ve exceeded expectations and got here on our own merits, so we’ve succeeded above and beyond what we expected of ourselves.
If you could give one piece of advice to future contestants what would that be?
Chris: Just give yourself over. You’ve got to take the show seriously, but don’t take yourself too seriously. In order to not take yourself too seriously, you’ve just got to let yourself go. You can’t be precious over it otherwise you’re taking yourself too seriously. The quicker you can make peace with that, the less stressful the rest of the series will be.
Did you discover anything surprising about yourself during the competition?
Chris: Everything, just the fact that we’ve been able to do it, the fact that we’ve been able to pull this off, the fact we’ve been able to learn the dances and put on a show. It’s all surprising.
Sarah and Vito
How would you describe your Strictly journey in three words?
Sarah: Exhilarating.
Vito: Unique.
Sarah: Fabulous.
How has your partnership with each other evolved over the weeks?
Sarah: I think our relationship really has evolved.
Vito: Our trust has definitely evolved.
Sarah: It’s just constantly changing. Every week you go through a cycle of different emotions.
Vito: The journey also really depends on the dance each week. It brings out a different part of our personalities, so every week you discover and understand a different part of each other but also of yourself. Sometimes it’s not just learning new things about the other person but also yourself.
Did you discover anything surprising about yourself during this competition?
Sarah: That I can push myself a lot harder than I thought I could and I’m capable of much more than I thought I was. The reaction I’ve had from women has been amazing which I wasn’t expecting. I’ve had some really quite tearful interactions with women, which has really shocked me. You’re not out and about much when you’re doing Strictly, but the few times where I have been the reaction has been amazing.
I definitely didn’t enter the show with any realisation that would happen. It’s really weird how it’s happened because I didn’t think of myself like that. Then I realise, I am 53, 20 years older than Vito, and I am doing what he’s doing. I hope that my just doing it has inspired people to think they can do it.
Vito, what have you learned about yourself through working with Sarah?
Vito: I’ve learned that there is always a good way, if you find the right key you can get the best from the person you have in front of you. I am happy and proud when I see what Trilly learns in less than one week, more than when I dance myself. I’m definitely learning lots of British culture too. Lots of British cuisine, which I’m appreciating even more. I’ve learned to drink and make British tea, which at the beginning of the season, I said it’s never going to happen, and now I like it.
Sarah: Vito thought he was going to turn me into a coffee drinker but actually I’ve taught him to make the perfect cup of tea and drink tea, which is not easy.
If you could give one piece of advice to future contestants, what would that be?
Sarah: I don’t think you can possibly prepare anybody for this experience. No matter how much anyone tries to explain, and I did speak to a lot of people who’ve done this before, but you just can’t explain it. It’s impossible because of everything that it involves, it will take over your life and it will be everything, you’ll also want it to be that way.
It’s one of those weird things when you think, well, if I could just jump out and have a week’s holiday, but at the same time you couldn’t bear to leave it. It’s all consuming and it’s amazing and exhausting and incredible, and it’s like nothing else. It’s like you live in Technicolor, and you know that when it’s over, your life’s going to be black and white.
What does it mean to be in the final?
Sarah: It is a dream come true. It’s amazing.
Vito: It means a lot because I know that this is a once in a life experience for Trilly, and I really can’t wait to guide and lead her on the dance floor. It is priceless and unique in life, something that she will always remember.
Sarah: You [Vito] also work unbelievably hard so I want to do well for Vito.
Vito: I said when we make it to the final, I would make a tiramisu as a celebration!
Tasha and Aljaž
How would you describe your journey on Strictly Come Dancing in three words?
Tasha: Magical, self-confidence and resilience.
Aljaž: Inspiring, limitless and commitment.
How did your partnership evolve over the weeks?
Tasha: We communicate with each other with our brains.
Aljaž: With Tasha, I feel like our friendship has got stronger with every single day, I feel like we can rehearse now without even talking to each other.
What does being in the final of Strictly Come Dancing mean to you? Would you class it as one of your career highlights?
Tasha: It is going to be lovely to finish off the whole journey with Aljaz in the final. Every week has been so special, but to be able to be in the final and experience it with Aljaz is so magical and amazing. One thousand percent this is a career highlight – it’s the biggest highlight of my whole life.
Aljaž: One of the most special days for me is the last Thursday in our rehearsal studio, the last day is the most beautiful day for me. You aim to get to that day. The last day of rehearsals done.
If you could give one piece of advice to future contestants, what would it be?
Tasha: Take it all in, go for it, don’t hold back, you only get this opportunity once. Don’t think too much about the scores and ignore the outside noise. Focus on the dancing and enjoy the growth.
Did you discover anything surprising about yourself during the competition?
Tasha: How much I can push myself I think. The way I pushed my mind, my body, the way I can really challenge myself each week has really surprised me.
Presenters and Judges
Claudia Winkleman
This feels like it’s been an amazing year for Strictly. The cast are simply spectacular. They’ve worked so hard and they do it with real wit and enthusiasm. Our professionals are extraordinary and all four couples are outstanding.
All our dancers are back together this Saturday and I can’t wait to see them. I’m going to try and persuade Paul Merson to do it again in 2025. How can we do Strictly without him?
Tess Daly
This series has been full of joy, it’s been emotional at times – but most of all the dancing has been phenomenal! I have really loved getting to know the celebrities and love that they’ve brought their personalities to the dances. Wynne brought his singing and comedy; Punam brought her culture to her Couple’s Choice and Paul brought so much fun and joy into his routines. The partnerships this year have been so tight, the bond they have formed over their time on Strictly is so unique. The secret behind them I believe is laughter – our couples have had so much fun this year- not only on the floor, but with the Judges too and up in Claud’s area. The Judges have been amazing once again this year – highlights include the brilliant costumes on theme weeks who can forget Anton as Rod Stewart on our debut Icons week and Shirley flying in as Mary Poppins for Movie week. I love them all for their uniquely different viewpoints.
In terms of our finalists, JB – what a sweetheart. He has taken everything in his stride. He built up all the technique and ground work with Amy and then went on to receive his first perfect 40 with Lauren. After every dance, he comes over with the biggest smile on his face and it’s been wonderful to watch him flourish. He is so able and such a brilliant dancer. I love how he sells every routine and puts his heart into it.
Chris has had us all in stitches, he’s brought tears to our eyes all within about 2 minutes. I have loved seeing him and Dianne work this whole journey out and they have done that with the biggest smiles. I am in awe at what Dianne has achieved and I have loved watching Chris fall in love with dancing having never done it before from an absolute novice to a brilliant dancer what an achievement.
Tasha has dreamt of being on the show from when she was a little girl and it’s been so lovely to see her live it out and embrace every single moment and every dance with such style and grace, she is so balletic and so beautiful to watch. So incredibly talented. Goose pimples every single time.
The dances that Sarah has delivered have been mind blowing – the jumps and lifts have been jaw dropping. She is so incredibly brave and so fit. I watch her ability with complete awe. I want to hug her after every dance because she’s moved, lifted and inspired me with her ability to embrace the challenges of each dance.
It genuinely feels like this final is going to be unmissable as it’s just so unpredictable- none of us can guess who’s going to be lifting that glitter ball trophy it’s literally anyone’s game and it’s all down to the public vote a very fitting way to celebrate our 20th year of Strictly.
Craig Revel Horwood
Firstly, I think all four finalists are worthy winners.
I am so pleased Chris McCausland got through to the final, I think he has fantastic rhythm and is a joy to watch. He has every chance of winning the entire show, I think he’s absolutely brilliant. I can’t wait to see Chris and Dianne’s show dance, it’s going to be spectacular. I think Tasha is a worthy winner also, she is an exceptional dancer, she has all the technique to get through the final and I think we’ll see really a truly spectacular show dance from her.
JB has come a long way, he’s really come out of his shell, he’s gained in confidence and he is thrilling and delighting absolutely everyone – audiences and judges alike. He got his first 40, which I was really pleased about, which was amazing. We haven’t had a Salsa get a 40 for six years so that’s pretty good going! Sarah is our showbizzy gal, who I think is amazing. She’s done some really great routines throughout, I particularly loved her Fosse number, she’s really great at doing all the theatrical stuff where there’s lots of acting and technique as well.
The final this year is going to be so rewarding dance wise, as they are all great, so it’s all very exciting and may the best person win!
Shirley Ballas
The whole series of Strictly 2024 has been utterly remarkable. It’s been an honour to have a front row seat to the best show on television. The cast have been truly wonderful and the dancing has been off the chart. I’ve loved being with my fellow judges and getting involved in the fun. It’s been a blast.
In terms of our finalists; Sarah & Vito – Sarah entered the competition with no fear. Vito’s had her doing anything and everything! Her routines have been fabulous and she’s taken each one and made it her own. Hats off to Vito for teaching so passionately. Chris and Dianne – Chris is super human. He’s improved enormously throughout the completion. I don’t know how he’s managed to master his routines to the level he has, without being able to see anything. Dianne is a phenomenal teacher who’s proven that no matter what’s ahead of you, if you put your mind to it you can do it.
JB & Lauren – JB’s been on a real journey this year and has blossomed into a fabulous dancer. He had rhythm coming into the competition and with the help of both Amy and Lauren he is shining brightly. A big well done to Lauren for stepping up to the plate midway through. Tasha & Aljaž – from Week 1, Tasha has been incredible. Her work ethic has been second to none and she’s shone on the floor week in, week out. She’s become a beautiful Ballroom dancer. And of course, it’s been great to have Aljaž back in the ballroom.
Anton Du Beke
It’s been such a magical series this year, up there with the best ever!
As always, I had a fabulous time at Blackpool and I’ve enjoyed the themed weeks enormously. Strictly Come Dancing has been such a major part of my life for 20 years and I feel very privileged to have been here, alongside Tess and Craig, since day one.
Motsi Mabuse
This series has been absolutely incredible, one of the most exciting ever.
All of our finalists have brought something so unique to the competition and it’s been a joy to watch them grow. They really raised the bar this year! Heading to the final, it’s going to be a tough decision because each finalist brings magic to the dancefloor.
It’ll be a celebration of their talent and hard work and I can’t wait to see what they all deliver on Saturday night!
