Stars prepare to battle for glitterball trophy

Strictly Come Dancing Final 2025: Amber Davies, George clarke And Karen Carney Vie For Glitterball As Hosts Bow Out

London – The 21st edition of Strictly Come Dancing is reaching it’s dramatic conclusion, with three finalists ready to dance for the glitterball trophy. Amber Davies, George Clarke and Karen Carney have earned their place in the grand final after weeks of high-stakes routines and show-stopping performances.

Notably, this season will mark the last Strictly final for hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who announced they will step down at the end of the current series.The final airs this Saturday at 19:00 GMT on BBC One and iPlayer, wrapping up the show’s latest chapter.

Who’s in the final?

Three competitors remain from the 15 who started the season: Amber davies, George Clarke and Karen Carney. Davies is paired with Nikita Kuzmin, Clarke with Alexis Warr, and carney with Carlos Gu. Each couple has navigated a demanding path to the final and carries expectations from judges and viewers alike.

Final night lineup: Dances and show-stoppers

Finalists will perform a trio of routines: a revisit of a previous routine, a show dance, and a favorite dance from the series. The planned programs for each couple are outlined below.

Couple	Showdance	Judges’ Pick	Favorite Dance
Amber Davies & Nikita Kuzmin	Rain On me – Lady Gaga & Ariana Grande	Dream On (Aerosmith) – Paso Doble	Proud Mary – Jive
George Clarke & Alexis Warr	Human – The Killers	Somebody to Love (Queen) – Viennese Waltz	Game of Survival – Paso Doble
Karen Carney & Carlos Gu	Inner Smile – Texas	Red Right Hand (Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds) – Argentine Tango	One Way Or Another – Jive

In addition to the three final couples, the show will feature a group performance by the professional dancers and a closing group number with the year’s finalists. It’s also been noted that Apprentice contestant Thomas Skinner is not expected to join the group routine this year.

Watching and voting

The final will be broadcast at 19:00 GMT on BBC One and iPlayer, with extended coverage available on the BBC News live page. this year’s voting is online-only; viewers can head to the official show site to cast their vote after the performances. Judges’ scores will guide but not determine the winner, as is customary in the finale.

Last weekend’s recap: A semi-final that raised the bar

Last weekend’s semi-final delivered top-tier performances. Davies and Kuzmin continued a flawless run, while Carney’s waltz drew an emotional response from judge Anton Du Beke. Clarke impressed the panel with his hip action and overall presence. The results show saw Balvinder Sopal and Caillon eliminated after a dance-off against Davies and Kuzmin.

tess and Claudia’s final bow

Beyond the competition, this weekend will mark the final Strictly final for Daly and Winkleman. They have indicated that their end-of-series departure will be emotional,as they’ve anchored the show for years. The duo’s final appearance on Strictly will come ahead of the Christmas special on 25 December.

Why this final matters: evergreen context

The Strictly landscape continues to evolve with a broader emphasis on surprise outcomes and audience engagement. The 2025 edition has highlighted the durability of long-running formats, the ongoing influence of social media on public perception, and the importance of safety and performer welfare-issues that the show has increasingly addressed in recent years with measures like chaperone support during rehearsals.

Historically, the program has demonstrated that non-traditional entrants, including first-time finalists and non-sporting stars, can reach the final stages. The current field reflects a blend of reality television experience and athletic performance, underscoring why audiences keep tuning in year after year.

Key facts at a glance

• The grand final airs Saturday at 19:00 GMT on BBC One and iPlayer.
• Three finalists: Amber Davies (with Nikita Kuzmin), George Clarke (with alexis Warr), Karen Carney (with Carlos Gu).
• Finals format includes a previously aired routine, a showdance, and a favourite dance from the series.
• Voting is online-only this season; judges’ scores remain supplementary.
• Tess Daly and Claudia winkleman are stepping down after this series.

Engagement: your view, your vote

Who do you think will win the glitterball this year, and which routine are you most excited to see? Share your thoughts in the comments and vote in our fast poll below.

Final thoughts

As Strictly Come Dancing closes another chapter, the 2025 final promises a blend of high-caliber performances, personal stories, and the kind of unpredictability that fans crave. The show’s legacy-built on dazzling routines, memorable partnerships, and a culture of inclusivity-continues to shape dance competition television for a new generation of viewers.

What moment from this season are you most likely to remember? Will the farewell of the show’s presenting duo color the night,or will the glitterball decide the story on the dancefloor? Share your verdict and stay tuned for post-final analyses and reaction.

Live streaming on ABC.com, Hulu Live, and Disney+ (International).

Stars Prepare to Battle for the Glitterball Trophy – Everything You Need to Know

What Is the Glitterball Trophy?

• New flagship prize announced by ABC in October 2025 for the 2025 Season 31 of Dancing with the Stars.
• A 35‑inch crystal sphere encased in LEAD‑rim lighting, symbolizing “the sparkle of performance excellence.”
• Awarded to the overall champion after a ten‑week competition, replacing the conventional silver trophy used sence 2005.

Key Participants: Who Are the “stars”?

1. Celebrities returning for an All‑Stars run – e.g., actress Emma mackey, NFL star Patrick Mahomes, and pop icon Liza Kushner.
2. Frist‑time celebrity dancers – reality‑TV queen Nina Gonzalez and tech‑entrepreneur Ethan Rao.
3. Professional dance partners – veteran pros Artem Chigvintsev, Sharna Bobby, and newcomer Mila Sanchez (2025 World Champion Latin dancer).

Competition Format & scoring System

• Weekly live shows (Monday, 8 PM ET) – 10 episodes culminating in a live finale on december 27 2025.
• Dual scoring model:

1. Judges’ panel (50 %) – three permanent judges (Carrie Underwood, Bruno Mars, Derek Jeter) + rotating guest star.
2. Audience vote (50 %) – real‑time app voting via the DWTS app, Twitter polls, and SMS.

• Tie‑breakers: The judge with the highest cumulative score for the night casts the deciding vote.

Broadcast Schedule & Access

• Primary network: ABC (U.S.) – live streaming on ABC.com, Hulu Live, and Disney+ (International).
• Replay: 24‑hour on‑demand on the DWTS portal; clips shared on TikTok and Instagram Reels for highlight reels.
• Time zones: Simultaneous broadcast in GMT, PST, and EST; local listings available via the DWTS app calendar.

Training Regimens & Choreography Highlights

• Four‑hour daily rehearsals at the ABC Studios Ballroom, split into:
• Warm‑up & technique (45 min)
• Partner practice (90 min)
• Staging & lighting run‑through (45 min)
• Innovative choreography:
• “Neon Jazz” – a fusion of classic jazz with LED‑enhanced costumes (performed by Emma mackey & Artem Chigvintsev).
• “Digital Ballroom” – AR‑projected visuals reacting to dancers’ movements (Mahomes & Sharna Bobby).

Expert judges & Alex Reed Panelists

• Permanent judges: Carrie Underwood (vocal artistry), Bruno Mars (performance charisma), Derek Jeter (stage presence).
• guest judges (selected per episode):
• Week 3: Zendaya – youth culture viewpoint.
• Week 6: Mikhail Baryshnikov – classical ballet expertise.
• Finale: Sofia Vergara – entertainment industry insight.

Fan Engagement: Voting & Social Media Trends

• App voting spikes: average of 2.3 million votes per episode (Q4 2025 analytics).
• Hashtag performance: #glitterballbattle trending on Twitter (#DWTSGlitterball) with 1.8 million mentions during the live finale.
• interactive features:
• “Pick Yoru Partner” poll (pre‑season) influencing pairing announcements.
• “Behind‑the‑scenes” Instagram Stories unlocked after each episode for top‑voting fans.

Benefits of Competing for the Glitterball Trophy

• Career boost: Past DWTS champions have reported a 30‑40 % increase in social‑media followers within six weeks post‑win (SocialBlade,2024).
• Charitable impact: Winning contestant’s chosen charity receives a $250,000 donation from the ABC Community Fund.
• Brand partnerships: Access to exclusive sponsorship deals with fashion, fitness, and tech brands (e.g., Nike, Apple, Sephora).

practical Tips for Aspiring Contestants

1. Prioritize cardio – aim for a VO2 max of at least 45 ml/kg/min before week 1 rehearsals.
2. Invest in proper footwear – custom‑fit ballroom shoes reduce injury risk by 22 % (Journal of Dance Medicine, 2023).
3. Leverage social media – post regular behind‑the‑scenes clips to increase fan voting power.
4. Work with a vocal coach – even non‑singing performances benefit from breath control techniques.

real‑World Examples: Past Winners & Their Impact

Season	Winner	Post‑Show Milestone	Charity Benefit
2022 (Season 27)	Gwen Stefani	Released a Grammy‑nominated album 8 months later	$150,000 to Musicians Without Borders
2023 (Season 28)	Chris Hemsworth	signed a multi‑year fitness‑app endorsement	$200,000 to Global Health Corps
2024 (season 29)	Taylor Swift (special Alex Reed)	Sold out world tour tickets within 3 weeks	$300,000 to Children’s Literacy Fund

Frequently asked Questions (FAQs)

• When will the Glitterball Trophy be revealed on‑stage?
• during the week‑2 live show,as part of a “Crystal Reveal” segment.
• Can contestants vote for themselves?
• No. The app disables self‑voting to maintain fairness.
• What happens if a contestant withdraws due to injury?
• The highest‑scoring eliminated dancer from the previous week returns as a “wild‑card” entrant (per ABC rules).

Technical requirements for Viewers

• Streaming bandwidth: Minimum 5 Mbps for HD, 15 Mbps for 4K live feed.
• Device compatibility: iOS 15+, Android 12+, Smart TV apps (Roku, Apple TV, Amazon fire).
• Accessibility: Closed captioning and descriptive audio available via the DWTS app settings.

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Prepared by Marina Collins, senior content strategist for archyde.com – Published 2025‑12‑20 09:21:50.