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

[EineReiseDurchDieZeit]

Afternoon all, extra spoiler warning in place!

If George had had someone like Lauren, he'd be much more accomplished by now. I can't actually remember any of his dances - I don't want to think about all the thrusting from last night 😂

@dapsnotplimsolls I trying hard to think what he danced to last night, was it a Samba (I'm only remembering that because I got confused with his dance and Bal's Salsa lol)
Oh yes! He wore that red top didn't he.
Best not to dwell on the thrusting 😆

I think tonight’s result was a forgone conclusion.

I have to say that I almost felt a bit sorry for Amber as she must be thinking that all the online hate that she’s been getting (which is awful) is now going to ramp up a gear now that another novice contestant has been knocked out by having to compete against her (a trained dancer).

She knows what the public think and what their opinions are about her being in the show and how unjust some of the public perceive it to be, and so what happened tonight won’t have done her any favours (in the eyes of people who don’t think she should be there).

When the judges were giving their verdicts as to who they wanted to save and it came to Judge number 3, I almost felt like Amber looked upset, as though she knew she was going through, (which we all knew), but also because she knew what the repercussions were likely to be for her, I.e possible public outrage.

She did deserve to go through as she is the better dancer, but I think the way some of the public have reacted to her presence has probably really tainted the experience for her.

As many on here have said, all she did was take up an opportunity that was presented to her, and she hasn’t deserved any of the nastiness that some of the public have directed at her.

I just really, really hope that Nikita’s plea for the public to “be kind” has an impact and she gets to enjoy her final week with no negativity.

The trouble is, though, the negativity won't end tonight, @LondonLady1980 , just because Nikita or people on here have asked for kindness.
She took the opportunity, for exposure, for fame, to promote her West End career and that's fine. Not everyone is going to think that's ok, which is also fine. Descending into hate on certain sm platforms is horrendous, but unfortunately, all too common nowadays. That's what isn't fine.

I think George deserves to be in the final. He started quite well for a beginner, dropped off a bit until Blackpool; then picked it up again. I find him really entertaining and fun to watch, and like his partnership with Alexis. I also love Lauren as a pro and was disappointed when she and Jimmy went out, but go out they did - so to the pps saying George would’ve done better with Lauren, what makes you think that?

Also curious to know why anyone who loves the show would stop watching Strictly when Tess and Claud go? I’ll miss them too, it’ll be strange at first, but the show doesn’t revolve around them any more than it revolved around Bruce.

I do feel sorry for Amber - she's damned whatever she does. I hope she really throws herself into her dances in the final and looks like she's enjoying them.

Lauren has proved she can teach and choreograph effectively, getting the best from different partners. This is the first year for Alexis and I haven't been impressed by her choreography or teaching.

I don't think it is fundamentally a competition. It is, first and foremost, a TV show - a light entertainment programme for the whole family and all ages kind of show.

The competition part, while important is not the key. It's the people, the costumes, the joy, the dancing both professional, absolute amateur, the journey, the judges, the drama etc etc. It's great to see amazing dancers and it's great to see non dancers become amazing. They all have a place.

It entertains us every week for 3 months. I think the BBC know exactly what they are doing. Long may it continue!

Lauren worked wonders with Krishnan and also did a great job last year when she took over from Amy. George has much more potential than Jimmy - I don't think he was ever going to make it much further than he did.

I posted this on pg18 of this thread.

I'm not sure exactly what people want Amber to do?
She was invited to participate.
So if her presence upsets people, they should take it with the show's producers.
In my opinion, I don't think she's the ringiest of ringers in Strictly history.
That belongs to Layton.

I think Lewis was different as his dancing previously was geared towards hip hop and contemporary. In recent years he’s been acting, rather than any dancing. Amber is immersed in musical theatre, as was Layton.

Of course she was the better dancer and had to go through. Of course she had to have had some ability to begin with, as she came in at very short notice. She didn’t present the best version of herself at first. She seemed over the top and not natural.

George is the only previously non dancer. He’s got to the final because of his social media presence, but I find him a more engaging character. I agree that a pro such as Lauren would have got more from him, without dancing around him.

I think a future series of Strictly will look very different. With Tess and Claudia leaving there’s a real opportunity to change lots of things.

I'd like to see less faffing abaaaahhhhhhht with props etc but I think they're here to stay. I know quite a few people would like a shorter results show on a Saturday night but I like it on a Sunday - something to look forward to before the weekly grind starts again!

Her presence on the show doesn't upset me, I have a lot of respect for how she stepped in, very last minute! And her dancing skills are brilliant.

As a viewer, I just haven't taken to her; watching her dance evokes zero emotion. Dance experience or no dance experience, she just seems lacking in genuine charisma and warmth.

I can't see Amber being capable of producing the sort of warmth and emotion evident in Karen's waltz.

I agree.
I look at the Spoiler every week but I still enjoy the results show.

I always feel regret when Strictly ends each year.

I don't have a problem with her, and I thought her CC dance was absolutely lovely. However, you cannot escape from the fact that essentially this is just the day job for her and it is a bit ridiculous putting her into competition against amateurs and previous non-dancers.

I think it's quite tough being a ringer on Strictly anyway, given that the likelihood is that you will get to the final, have to do all that bloody hard work, and be left in the position where you know that, no matter how hard you work realistically you stand no chance whatsoever of winning.

When the judges were giving their verdicts as to who they wanted to save and it came to Judge number 3, I almost felt like Amber looked upset, as though she knew she was going through, (which we all knew), but also because she knew what the repercussions were likely to be for her, I.e possible public outrage.

I thought that was simply because she is genuinely good friends with Balvinder and was upset on her behalf.

I think it's quite tough being a ringer on Strictly anyway, given that the likelihood is that you will get to the final, have to do all that bloody hard work, and be left in the position where you know that, no matter how hard you work realistically you stand no chance whatsoever of winning

It's an unpopular opinion, but I actually agree with this. Someone with Amber or Lewis' calibre is already at a disadvantage of being labelled the "Dirty Ringah" and therefore already has no chance of winning.

Their dance background will count against them in the public vote, and their personality or partneship with their pro is attacked based on nothing more than not behaving the "right" way in the Clauditorium.

The so called ringers aren’t forced to be on Strictly. They must know that ringers generally get a difficult time. It’s their choice, their monkey.

Does it matter to the ringers if they win, anyway? They’ve had weeks of prime-time Saturday night exposure on TV (ignoring gussets) and as long as they have danced well it must help them get work in the future.

@Bluffinwithmymuffin People were dramatic when Bake Off moved to channel 4 and Mary, Mel & Sue left but it's still been a popular show. Personally I find Tess stilted and awkward even though when she's interviewed she seems very natural. So I won't be sorry to see her go. Claudia is naturally amusing and she'll be hard to replace.
@KatyaKanani I think it's unfair of strictly producers to invite professional dancer/performers to take part when they know what the public think. It happened with Ashley Roberts, Faye Tozer and Layton Williams amongst others. I'm not condoning online haters but how could you stop them.

Ashley Roberts was grace under fire. Her show dance to Keeping your head up was sublime. I did wonder if that song choice was deliberate.

@StrictlySequinsandStiIettos
That was with Pasha on the revolving platform thingy wasn't it.
It was beautifully done.

They're not, but they are invited and they do their best with an opportunity. They deserve their place on the show and even a chance to win imo.

Neither contestants were meant to be there to start with, but I agreed with Nikita when he said in the Clauditorium, the show wouldn't be as good as it is without Amber, as controversial that might sound!

There are people kicking off on DS about Karen Carney having 10 years' dance experience - she started aged 5! She stopped at 15 when football took over and is now 38. There were people saying 60 something Debbie McGee was a ringer because she used to be a ballerina 40 years before. There will always be moaning idiots.