20:10
Layton Williams sparkles as he performs his dazzling showdance and leaves head judge Shirley Ballas 'inspired'
Layton Williams and his professional partner Nikita Guzman shimmied onto screens in plunging black waistcoats and bowler hats, teamed with gold sequinned trousers.
The talented duo wowed with their dance skills during their showdance which they perforned to Ne-Yo’s track Friend Like Me.
‘You did lose synchronicity’ insisted Craig Revel Horwood in his critique, while Shirley Ballas lauded Layton’s work ethic throughout the series, adding: ‘I’m so inspired by you.’
Once again, Craig held back with his score, giving 9 points, while the other judges awarded the duo a 10, leaving them with 39 points overall for their showdance.
20:02
Bobby Brazier's Hollywood themed showdance leaves Dianne Buswell overcome with emotion
Bobby Brazier pulled out all the stops for his showdance, looking dapper in a beige suit while Dianne Buswell stunned in a red hot mini dress.
After perforning their Hollywood-themed routine, Dianne wept with joy into Bobby’d arms as the youngster comforted her.
Head judge Shirley Ballas praised their ‘beautiful chemistry’ while Craig Revel Horwood told the soap star that his acting was a ‘joy to watch.’
However, Craig awarded the duo 9 points while the other judges each gave them 10 points, leaving Bobby and Dianne with a score of 39 for their showdance.
19:51
Fans share their sympathy for Ellie Leach after her second dance of the final went wrong
Strictly Come Dancing fans took to social media where they posted messages of support for the soap star following an error at the end of her showdance.
The show’s judges also praised the young actress for ‘taking risks’ with the routine and for being ‘brave.’
19:48
Ellie Leach slips up at the end of her second routine of the night while dazzling in a sequinned jumpsuit as her final lift goes wrong
Ellie Leach took to the dancefloor in a jaw-dropping shimmering jumpsuit boasting tassels down each side of the legs.
Despite a powerful start, the actress struggled towards the end of her showdance with parnet Vito Coppola to Jennifer Lopez’s smash hit single On The Floor.
Craig Revel Howard branded their final lift a terrible shame’ adding until that moment the routine had been ‘flawless.’
All four judges opted to give the duo a score of 9, leaving Ellie and Vito with a total of 36 for their second routine.
19:36
Layton Williams' quickstep receives a standing ovation from the live studio audience as he lands the first perfect score of the night
Layton Williams performed a quickstep with his professional partner Nikita Guzman to the classic track Puttin’ On The Ritz.
The duo were wonderfully coordinated in wide leg trousers and braces over striped shirts and patterned ties as they whizzed around the dancefloor together.
The judges were seriously impressed with the improvement in the routine from the first time he danced it earlier in the series.
For the first time in the evening, Craig Revel Horwood joined his fellow judges in giving the pair a score of 10, leaving Layton and Nikita with a perfect 40.
19:28
Bobby Brazier pulls out a sassy samba for his first dance in the Strictly final
Bobby Brazier perfomed an energetic samba with his professional partner Dianne Buswell to Candi Staton’s Young Hearts Run Free.
Dressed in a sheer metallic top with a snazzy neckline, the soap star was full of gusto on the dancefloor.
‘Your joy of dance is not like any other’ gushed judge Motsi Mabuse while head judge Shirley Ballas branded him ‘The King of Latin.’
Craig Revel Horwood once again opted to give the pair a 9 while the other judges each awarded the duo 10 points, leaving Bobby and Dianne with a score of 39.
19:17
Somebody means business! Ellie Leach receives 39 points as the last woman standing makes her mark in her opening number
Ellie Leach performed a heart-thumpig pasodoble with her professional partner Vito Coppola to Faithless track Insomnia..
Wearing black-and-blue ensembles the duo left nothing behind as they pulled out their best moves in their opening routine.
Judge Craig Revel Horwood branded their dance ‘absolutely fantastic,’ but failed to give the actress a 10, opting instead for a 9.
The other judges couldn’t contain their delight and each awarded the duo 10 points, leaving Ellie and Vito with a score of 39.
19:08
Amy Dowden makes a spectacular return to Strictly Come Dancing as she joins her fellow professionals for the opening routine
Amy looked phenomenal as she ditched her wig to performed a sassy opening number alongside her colleagues, who all wore eye-catching black-and-white ensembles.
The much-loved star was diagnosed with breast cancer in May, and underwent a mastectomy in July.
Amy bowed out of this year’s series of Strictly Come Dancing as she underwent a course of chemotherapy, which she completed in November.
19:05
The Strictly Come Dancing final opens with a sombre video of the three finalists
Saturday night’s live show began with emotional pre-recorded clips of Layton Williams, Bobby Brazier and Ellie Leach explaining how Strictly Come Dancing has impacted their lives.
Layton praised the BBC show for allowing him to be his ‘authentic show’ while Ellie gushed about how much the competition has improved her self-confidence.
19:02
Jeff Brazier is spotted arriving to support son Bobby at the Strictly Come Dancing final
Jeff was spotted as he arrived to support son Bobby at the Strictly Come Dancing final on Saturday evening.
The TV host was joined by youngest lad Freddie and wife Kate Dwyer but there was no sign of Jade Goody’s mother Jackiey Budden, after she was banned from attending.
18:40
How are you celebrating the Strictly Come Dancing final?
From themed viewing parties to fun meals, fans of the BBC competition have been takinig to social media to share the special ways they are watching the final this evening.
18:27
Craig Revel Horwood didn't think Layton Williams would make the final!
The Strictly Come Dancing judge has revealed that when he first saw Layton dance, he didn’t think he would go all the way..
18:17
All eyes on the prize!
Layton Williams, Bobby Brazier and Ellie Leach will take to the Strictly dancefloor in tonight’s final to compete for the famous glitterball trophy.
18:07
Things have been hotting up on and off the dancefloor…
Ellie Leach and her partner Vito Coppola have shared the reason why they’ve put their rumoured romance on hold ahead of the final.
The Coronation Street actress is the bookies’ favourite to lift the Glitterball trophy with her odds at 1/10.
17:52
Strictly Come Dancing fans are taking to social media to show support for their fave finalists… but who do YOU want to win?
17:46
SPOILER ALERT!
Angela Scanlon was left red-faced on Friday as she accidentally revealed a spoiler ahead of the Strictly Come Dancing final during an appearance on spin-off show It Takes Two.
17:37
Will Bobby Brazier's nan be in the audience for the Strictly Come Dancing final…?
Jade Goody’s mum Jackiey Budden is banned from the Strictly Come Dancing studio audience amid an ongoing feud with Bobby’s dad Jeff Brazier.
But Jade’s widow Jack Tweed has now said that Jade would want her mum to be there to watch her grandson compete in the live final.
17:01
Recap: Which routines are the couples dancing for the final?
The couples must dance not one, not two, but THREE dances for the final, including the iconic showdance.
16:59
What will Bobby Brazier do if he wins Strictly?
Bobby Brazier has revealed just how he would celebrate if he was crowned Strictly champion alongside his dance partner Dianne Buswell.
The EastEnders actor had never even watched the show prior to appearing on it himself and he has made it all the way to the final.
16:53
Strictly's Most Dramatic Moments of 2023
It’s been a jam-packed year for Strictly and we took a look back at the series’ most dramatic moments.
From Amanda Abbington’s shock exit to Nigel Harman’s rib injury leading him to withraw there has been no shortage of surprises.
Romance rumours have conitnued to whirl for Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola and Layton Williams has been battling cruel trolls angered by his prior dancing experience.
16:26
Nigel Harman shares a health update after breaking his rib just weeks before the Strictly Come Dancing final
Despite being one of the show’s favourites, Nigel Harman had to withdraw from the competition last month after sustaining the injury during dance rehearsals.
The actor, who was partnered with professional dancer Katya Jones, expressed his disappointment at seeing his Strictly journey abruptly end just weeks before the final.
16:15
As the final three stars prepare to hit the dancefloor, judge Craig Revel Horwood reveals what he's looking for…
Ahead of the Strictly Come Dancing finale, Craig Revel Horwood revealed what it takes for him to use his ’10 points’ paddle.
The sharp-tongued judge also explained what it means to him when he awards the elusive perfect score.
16:05
But there will be one contestant missing…
Amanda Abbington won’t be returning for the group number after her shock exit from the competition back in October.
But the star did send her best wishes to the three finalist couples as she wrote: ‘Good luck tonight to these six beautiful humans’.
15:55
All the couples are back, who are you excited to see dance again?
15:49
Welcome to the Strictly Come Dancing Live Blog!
The countdown is on for the Strictly final where Bobby Brazier, Ellie Leach and Layton Williams will compete to the lift the glitterball trophy.
But who do you want to win?
TOP STORIES
- Strictly's Amanda Abbington breaks her silence after 'snubbing' the show's final… weeks after she quit the BBC competition
- Jeff Brazier arrives at Strictly final to support son Bobby but there's no sign of Jackiey Budden despite Jade Goody's ex begging the family to lift ban on her attending
- James and Ola Jordan share health update after 'very ill' daughter Ella, 3, was rushed to A&E and say they will be forced to miss the Strictly final
- Strictly Come Dancing final 2023: Layton Williams bags a PERFECT score for his incredible quickstep amid claims the actor's stage experience gives him an unfair advantage
- Strictly's Ellie Leach breaks down in tears as she receives words of support from famous cousin before final
- Strictly Come Dancing 2023 final songs and dances revealed as three remaining couples each take on three routines in a bid to lift the glitterball
- Jade Goody's ex urges Strictly star Bobby Brazier to lift crowd ban on nan Jackiey for tonight – after she was banished following THAT row with dad Jeff
- Strictly's Bobby Brazier admits dance partner Dianne Buswell is his 'favourite thing' about the show hours before the final
- Bobby Brazier reveals what he will do if he wins Strictly Come Dancing as dance partner Dianne Buswell makes heartfelt declaration
- Strictly's Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola reveal why they've put their rumoured romance on hold ahead of the final: 'We have so much to think about!'
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- Jeff Brazier sends heartfelt message of support to his Strictly star son Bobby and Dianne Buswell hours ahead of the much-anticipated final
- Strictly's Shirley Ballas reveals the REAL reason she wanted to vote out Layton Williams – after the pair sparked feud rumours
- Strictly Come Dancing's Nigel Harman shares a health update as he returns to show after breaking his rib just weeks before final
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- Strictly's Craig Revel Horwood admits he didn't think Layton Williams would make the final due to his West End experience amid 'advantage' backlash: 'Mostly great dancers don't do well'
- Strictly Come Dancing FIRST LOOK: Layton Williams and his dance partner Nikita Kuzmin pull out all the stops in rehearsals ahead of the final
- Strictly Come Dancing 2023's most dramatic moments as the final looms: From Amanda Abbington and Nigel Harman quitting the show to THAT romance
- Strictly's Craig Revel Horwood reveals what it really takes for him to award 10 points ahead of the season finale
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