Strictly Come Dancing’s 2025 finalists have finally been confirmed after a tense few weeks, with Balvinder Sopal narrowly missing out on a spot in next week’s finale
Everything you need to know about Strictly Come Dancing’s 2025 final
- The three finalists have finally been confirmed after three nail-biting months. This week, EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal narrowly missed out on a spot in the final after her sixth dance off of the series. She went up against Love Island star Amber Davies and her professional partner Nikita Kuzmin.
- Balvinder and Julian Caillon performed their Salsa to Rhythm Is Gonna Get You/Get On Your Feet by Gloria Estefan. Meanwhile, Amber and Nikita danced their Couple’s Choice to Fly Me to the Moon by BRIT Award-winner RAYE. Motsi chose to save Amber and Nikita, as did Head Judge Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke. This week, the casting vote was with Craig Revel Horwood, who also chose to save Amber and Nikita.
- This means that Amber and Nikita will be competing against George Clarke, Alexis Warr, Karen Carney, and Carlos Gu in the final. The remaining couples will start their rehearsals almost immediately as they each battle it out to be crowned the champion of Strictly Come Dancing 2025.
- Speaking about her time on the show, Balvinder said: “I’ve absolutely adored every single minute. All the dance-offs, all the challenges, but just more than anything, just being in this building and dancing on this floor with such an amazing human being. It was my Yes Year, and I said yes to Strictly. My family, we’ve had some hard times, but they’ve been here.”
- Speaking about his dance partner, Julian added: “I just think that Bal embodies what this competition is about. Her spirit is unbreakable, and [to Bal] you have shown me that I’m actually dreaming too small, and Bal can inspire us that whatever any of us want in life, all you have to have is the desire to go after it. It took six dance-offs and a perfect score to take this lady out, so I am so, so proud of you!”
- This week’s results also had a surprise for hosts Tess and Claudia, who will leave at the end of this series. Ahead of their departure, the pair were shown highlights from their over two decades on the programme – including interviews from the judges and footage alongside the late Sir Bruce Forsyth. Dancer Kai Widdrington also awarded the pair their own and the first-of-its-kind Glitterball Trophy.
- Despite next week being Tess and Claudia’s last ever final, the pair will still front the Christmas special episode, which has been pre-recorded.
- In October, the pair announced they would be passing over the baton to new presenters in a video shared on social media. Claudia said: “Hi it’s Claud and Tess. There have been some rumblings, and we want you to hear this from us…” Tess then added: “Yeah we have news. After 21 wonderfully joyful years on Strictly we have decided the time is right to step aside and pass on the baton…” “The very sparkly baton…” Claudia continued before she turned to Tess and said: “You’ve been here since the beginning…” Tess then replied: “2004 with Brucey – lovely Bruce. That’s over two decades ago and a lot of that time has been with you. It’s been a huge part of our lives, hasn’t it? Since our children were literally babes in arms and now they’re young adults and I think, genuinely we have cherished every second.”
- READ THE FULL STORY HERE: Strictly Come Dancing’s Balvinder Sopal voted out as she misses grand final