Waltzing Home

Dec 13, 2024 by Rob

The last potential stumbling block safely negotiated in the semi-final, Chris and Dianne are all set to lift tomorrow night’s Glitterball trophy in what looks the most one-sided final in the history of the show.

Pete was efficiently dispatched in last week’s semi-final and it was the moment Craig called JB over and stood up to shake his hand you knew a 40 was upcoming for his salsa, he was topping the judges’ leaderboard on the night, and a Tasha vs Pete dance-off was all but confirmed, and by association a Chris series victory.

Chris and Dianne have won the hearts of the nation, really from the moment they took to the floor for week 1’s CCC to Twist And Shout by The Beatles.

Chris was able to dance to a surprisingly high standard, and you could see a hugely endearing, feel-good journey emerging. As each week has passed, this sentiment has only strengthened, with Chris producing some iconic routines along the way.

Every chat with Claudia, every interview on It Takes Two, every VT, every interplay between Chris and the judges, all the entertaining content Dianne and Chris have drummed up in the training room across the series and appearing on Instagram… You couldn’t find a Strictly contestant or pairing with more intrinsic voting appeal.

The dance choices among the four finalists are largely redundant. A great betting market would be, predicting the winning vote percentage achieved by Chris and Dianne. If only the BBC would publish the voting figures, post-series.

Rose Ayling-Ellis undoubtedly won by a huge margin in her final match vs John Whaite in 2021 but in terms of a four-couple final this is poised to be a landslide victory.

The judges have unsurprisingly chosen week 8’s 33-scoring Couple’s Choice to Instant Karma! with its symbolic moment of darkness for viewers to have a brief glimpse into Chris’s world.

Their showdance will be a feel-good medley of ballroom dances to New Radicals You Get What You Give. What’s the buzzword bingo price on one of the judges saying, ‘Chris, you’ve got the music in you’?

Chris and Dianne have chosen their week 5, 35-scoring waltz to You’ll Never Walk Alone which may well inspire a standing ovation.

JB looks set to chase Chris home in second place though we will never know the placings. He has built plenty of momentum at the business end of the series and one wonders what might have been had Amy been able to complete the series as JB’s pro partner and Chris hadn’t turned out to be the Strictly behemoth he has become.

Semi-final judges’ leaderboard:

JB and Lauren – Paso Doble (2) – 9, 10, 10, 10 = 39 – Salsa (7) – 10, 10, 10, 10 = 40 = 79
Tasha and Aljaz – Salsa (1) – 8, 9, 9, 9 = 35 – Waltz (6) – 10, 10, 10, 10 = 40 = 75 – bottom two
Sarah and Vito – Tango (4) – 9, 9, 9, 9 = 36 – Jive (9) – 9, 9, 9, 9 = 36 = 72
Chris and Dianne – Charleston (3) – 7, 8, 9, 9 = 33 – Viennese Waltz (8) – 9, 9, 9, 9 = 36 = 69
Pete and Jowita – Foxtrot (5) – 7, 8, 9, 8 = 32 – Argentine Tango (10) – 7, 8, 9, 9 = 33 = 65 – eliminated

A series victory for JB and Amy was probably TPTB’s plan A, but much like Kelvin Fletcher coming in as a last-minute substitute and derailing a first series win for Anton, paired with Emma Barton in 2019, Chris and Dianne re-wrote this year’s script.

JB and Lauren will start with their quarter-final (Musicals Week) VW to let’s Go Fly A Kite which landed them 39. Their showdance will be a Motown medley of songs which will allow JB to get his soul groove on. They will bring the party spirit with their choice – week 8’s 37-scoring samba.

Tasha has produced some outstanding dances in recent weeks, landing two 40s, but the viewing audience has said no, resulting in two dance-off appearances.

The judges have selected her week 7 (Icons Week), 39-scoring Couple’s Choice to P!nk. A big band-themed showdance to Sing, Sing, Sing will be a classy number and the sort of thing traditionalists will love. Tasha and Aljaz have chosen to reprise their perfect week 10 American Smooth.

It wouldn’t come as a surprise if Tasha lands the maximum 120pts on the night.

Sarah is the only other contestant, along with Chris, to avoid the dance-off series-long but it has felt like her challenge has petered out in recent weeks. Her and Vito, appearing in his third successive final, have been tasked by the judges with their week 8, 33-scoring AS to Proud.

Their showdance to a version of Cabaret will involve quickstep, tap dance, lifts and have a theatrical feel.  And they have chosen to re-visit their week 7 (Icons Week), CCC with Sarah styled like Madonna. This scored 37 and is a slightly underwhelming choice.

While exit polls have suggested Sarah has been second behind Chris season-long, the wind has gone out of her sails.

As preordained as it all looks, please do let us know who got your vote in our grand final exit poll. And thanks to everyone who has taken the time to register their votes across the series. Last week’s semi-final exit poll was on the money again.

Strictly 2024 Exit Poll – Grand Final

Grand final dances & songs:

First routine (judges’ pick)

JB & Lauren Viennese Waltz to Let’s Go Fly A Kite from Mary Poppins
Chris & Dianne Couple’s Choice to Instant Karma! (We All Shine On) by John Lennon
Sarah & Vito American Smooth to Proud by Heather Small
Tasha & Aljaz Couple’s Choice to What About Us by P!nk

Second routine (showdance)

JB & Lauren Show Dance to a Motown Medley
Chris & Dianne Show Dance to You Get What You Give by New Radicals
Sarah & Vito Show Dance to Cabaret by Metropole Orkest
Tasha & Aljaz Show Dance to Sing, Sing, Sing by Benny Goodman

Third routine (couple’s pick)

JB & Lauren Samba to Mas Que Nada by Sergio Mendes
Chris & Dianne Waltz to You’ll Never Walk Alone by Gerry and the Pacemakers
Sarah & Vito Cha Cha to Like A Prayer by Madonna
Tasha & Aljaz American Smooth to Someone You Loved by Lewis Capaldi