Strictly 2025 : The Final Countdown. Week 12. 18.35. NO SPOILERS ON THIS THREAD PLEASE!

[EineReiseDurchDieZeit]

Afternoon all, extra spoiler warning in place!

Has this thread discussed why Claud & Tess are leaving - obvs old news now but is the consensus it’s brand management due to the Strictly scandals & current allegation underway? If off topic for this thread will take elsewhere - apologies in advance!

Claudia has probably got all kinds of interesting offers due to the success of The Traitors. Apparently, they have an agreement to go together.

Yes we have batted it about but the general feeling was to just concentrate on the programme.

Just caught up. Found it all a bit underwhelming this weej

Nikitta made a good point about Amber. I haven’t warmed to her at all but she doesn’t deserve the hate. She was asked to come on the show, perhaps in hindsight it wasn’t the best idea however it would be a very difficult gig to say no to in her situation

I can’t see how she could possibly NOT win a dance off. Surely an Amber vs Bal dance off. Karen in a very strong position but George surely has the biggest following. One of those two will surely win.

Maybe but Tess has done it for such a long time I think it’s totally reasonable to want to step away.

Claud will have other offers piling up.

I do think George has the better chance of winning due to his followers voting although I dont actually think a lot of his followers would watch strictly not the whole show anyway.

The producers must have some idea about potential replacements. Kelvin Fletcher was drafted in last minute, when Jamie Laing was injured.

I think describing someone as coming across as fake, isn’t the same as saying they’re being fake. I thought it really did seem as though Amber was playing a part at the start of the series. She’s toned it down since then, but it got her off to a bad start with viewers and voters.

@dapsnotplimsolls & @Clearinguptheclutter yes very true. Obviously we will never know why for sure I guess.@Coffeeishot completely reasonable - so back on track to the dancing!

If it’s unfair to have ringers on the show, isn’t it also unfair to have social media personalities who have a ready made fan base much bigger than any one else’s?

I like George, but he’s the weakest dancer in the final, if he wins it will be a repeat of the Chris Hollins farce.

The problem is the BBC are trying to get 'da kidz' to watch, or at least engage, so they feel they have to include 'content creators' and the like.

Karen had tons of dance training and it's tiresome reading that she hasn't.

Side note,there haven't been many rumbas this series have there?

To everyone reminding me Karen had experience- yes, I forgot. She’s not very good for someone with experience!

George and Bal have been my favourites, mainly George, from the get go. I have been impressed by Karen’s professional team player persona. She never, ever forgets that her successes are due to the team who work with her- her partner, the wardrobe team, musicians and choreographers.
She’s a delight. As is Bal.

I note that the same posters remain silent when anyone reminds them that she has in fact significant dance experience.

I don't mind as she's not trained in ballroom and Latin, but nor are Amber or Lewis.

Talking of rumbas we've had:
Alex and Jojo - She was awarded 10 by Shirley.
Karen and Carlos- Celine Dion I think? Wasn't her best.
Harry and Karen - Can't remember
Jimmy and Lauren - James Bond during movie week. He looked pretty good, and Lauren looked like an actual Bond girl.
George and Alexis - Couple's Choice 2

Did Balvinder and Julian fo rumba? Can't remember.

Lewis and Katya Harry Styles' falling. I thought it was lovely but would have preferred a bit more hip action and fluidity.

For this relief, much thanks!

Ah there have been a few then. I missed a few shows mid series as well were away on holiday. Only watched the last show we’d missed when we got back.

We caught up earlier. Really enjoyed it all I have to say. It was good to see Karen doing a proper ballroom dance and me and DH thought she really held her own.

As good as Amber is (and I think she is great) she won’t win because of the public perception. I agreed with Nikita, she really doesn’t deserve the hate she’s had, whether you think she’s a ringer or not. I loved their tango, and the CC was a really West End musical number.

We both really enjoyed Bal and George, although suspect Bal will be the one to go this week. On a side note I loved her red dress and wondered whether they were able to keep any of their outfits. That one would certainly be going in my dance bag 😁.

Onwards to the results show.

On a side note I loved her red dress and wondered whether they were able to keep any of their outfits.

I don’t know, but sometimes on Thursdays’ ITT Vicki Gill comments that a dress has been altered from one used before. She also says occasionally that they‘ve started with a dress or pair of trousers they’ve bought (from a high street shop?) and then altered it. Or ‘jujjed’ it.

I think it's unfair and ridiculous to have someone who people are going to vote for without even watching them dance.

He is definitely another Chris Hollins.

Yes I think it probably is unfair but YouTubers and social media "stars" seem to inevitably be a big deal these days so people like me, who don't know these people from a bar of soap are just going to have to put up with it.

It's always struck me as a bit strange that non of these massive SM people with all their followers have never won and some haven't even made the final before. Thinking Harvy, Saffron Barker but George may well buck that trend.

I was surprised to hear that Amber was a LI contestant as I was sure strictly once had a policy of not signing anyone whose been on the show. But thinking about it now I think Tasha was also a Love Islander, so they've obviously changed their minds on that one.

@xsquared I note that the same posters remain silent when anyone reminds them that she has in fact significant dance experience.

I don't mind as she's not trained in ballroom and Latin, but nor are Amber or Lewis.

I don't mind Karen's previous dance experience either. I'm fact I don't mind anyone having done some teenage dance lessons or whatnot as it can add something, otherwise we'd end up with a show made up mainly of Ross King's, which nobody wants to watch!

For me though I do draw the line at any West End dancing experience. Be that Amber, Denise VO, or Leyton. But that's just a personal opinion and no doubt others will feel different.

Jamie laing was in made in chelsea mark wright was in Towie. They were on before Love islanders and other reality people so I don't think it has ever been a rule.

I was surprised to hear that Amber was a LI contestant as I was sure strictly once had a policy of not signing anyone whose been on the show. But thinking about it now I think Tasha was also a Love Islander, so they've obviously changed their minds on that one.

Wasn't Zara also an ex Love Islander?

I've not watched LI before, but I suppose it is just treated as a way of getting a foot in the door to the entertainment industry, in the same way as Strictly is a stepping stone in their career for up and coming performers.

I think they do have to review what action to take if someone drops out so late, like Dani did. It's not Amber's fault but her presence has definitely changed the vibe of this series eg predictable outcome of any DO she's in. Lewis' exit was unexpected - it looked like the final would be Lewis, Amber and one other.

It's weird because Google says they only scrapped the no reality contestants rule this year but as you say Mark & Jamie were on it years ago, so who knows what the truth is.

Although if all reality TV contestants are fair game then I'd love to see Alexander or Paul from Traitors taking part 😄.