Strictly Come Dancing 2017 finalists, rated: who will win?
The 15th series of Strictly Come Dancing climaxes at 6.30pm this Saturday with the grand glitterball final. But which of the last four surviving celebrities will win?
Here’s our form guide to the rumba-ing runners and foxtrotting riders…
Alexandra Burke
Who: London-born, 29-year-old R&B singer-turned-West End star who found fame after winning Strictly’s arch ratings rival, The X Factor, in 2008.
Pro partner: Spanish señor Gorka “The Corka” Marquez, in only his second year on Strictly.
Strictly journey: Turbulent and rocky. Her mother, Soul II Soul vocalist Melissa Bell, died a week before the series began but she wanted her daughter to carry on. “The A-Girl” has been a pace-setter all along, topping the leaderboard regularly and is the contest’s highest scorer. Yet she’s also been the subject of tabloid smears and social media trolling. Cynics says she too much dance experience, some viewers believe she’s insincere and fake, and there have been rumours of backstage diva behaviour. Much of this, however, whiffs of racism and unseemly bullying of a bereaved young woman.
Best moments: Her Tina Turner jive in week four, which got a near-perfect 39 points and prompted Burke to sob, "I wish my mum was here to see this.” And, after scoring 39 on five occasions, finally getting a full 40 points for her semi-final salsa.
Worst moments: Head judge Shirley Ballas picking her up on her sickle feet and technical deficiencies. Recently appearing in two consecutive dance-offs despite finishing high up the scoreboard, meaning she wasn’t getting viewer votes.
Most likely to: Nail a high-energy Latin routine, get perfect 10s and weep with gratitude, then glance anxiously at Gorka for support.
Chances of winning: Slim. Definitely has the dance talent but likely lacks the popularity.
Debbie McGee
Who: Magician’s assistant to her late husband Paul Daniels and now a radio presenter. At 59, thelovelyDebbieMcGee™ is this year’s oldest contestant and describes herself as the “grandma of the show”.
Pro partner: Italian stallion Giovanni Pernice, who has reached his second final in three years.
Strictly journey: Inspirational. Surprise package McGee became the breakout star mid-series by dancing like a 20-year-old to regularly top the leaderboard. Trains hard (even harder now she’s in panto rehearsals too), and has remarkable stamina and suppleness for her age. Has been dogged by grumblings about her ballet background but insists she hadn’t danced for three decades before Strictly.
Best moments: Celebrating her 59th birthday with a Frankenstein-themed Halloween charleston which prompted Shirley Ballas to give Debbie her “Queen Of Latin” crown. A week later, her tango got the earliest perfect 40 in Strictlyhistory and Craig Revel Horwood even came out from behind the judges' table to bow down at Debbie's feet.
Worst moments: Appearing in the Blackpool dance-off after an ill-judged, fancy-dressed Spice Girls samba. Form has slightly dipped in latter stages and has a niggling back injury.
Most likely to: Bring the studio audience to their feet with some “Flexy McGee” splits or a spectacular lift, before getting asked by the judges: “What are you on? And can we have some?”
Chances of winning: Middling. We’d love to see Strictly’s first mature female winner but she’s second favourite behind Joe.
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Gemma Atkinson
Who: 33-year-old soap siren, radio DJ, gym bunny and former lads’ mag pin-up. The only dance novice in the final. Tends to play the “I’m just a normal Northern lass, me” card.
Pro partner: Smiley Slovenian Aljaž Škorjanec, who won his debut series in 2013 with Abbey Clancy.
Strictly journey: A rollercoaster of highs and lows. Improved steadily for the first half of the series, then her progress flatlined. Popular with viewers and has never looked in serious danger of elimination but doesn’t seem like a glitterball winner either. Better at ballroom, when she feels safe in Aljaž’s arms.
Best moments: Her powerful paso doble in week four and getting her first (and so far only) perfect 10s in Blackpool for a flowing American smooth with serious wow factor.
Worst moments: Struggled with Latin dances like the salsa and samba which exposed her weaknesses. Finished joint bottom of the scoreboard in the quarter final. Appeared in her first dance-off last week but edged out Mollie King to fill the fourth final berth.
Most likely to: High-five a delighted Aljaž after a solid routine which scores eights and nines rather than 10s.
Chances of winning: Very slim. Only just scraped into the final and she’s rank outsider in the betting.
Joe McFadden
Who: 41-year-old Scottish actor and housewives’ favourite, best known for playing surgeon Raf di Lucca in BBC One stablemate Holby City.
Pro partner: St Petersburg-born brunette Katya Jones, who partnered Ed Balls in her debut series. Her creative choreography is a major factor in McFadden’s success and as world showdance champion, she should pull out something special for the final.
Strictly journey: Dark horse turned odds-on favourite. Had a slow-burning start to the contest but crept up on the rails to become a fixture near the summit of the scoreboard and the last celebrity male standing. Strong on details and attentive partnering. Like Alexandra Burke, McFadden has West End experience, having starred in Rent and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, but has somehow managed to dodge any grumblings about it.
Best moments: The routines that required his acting skills to bring out their character: his Doctor Zhivago moustachioed Viennese waltz, classical paso doble, toy soldier charleston, leaderbaord-topping jazzy quickstep and Cabaret-themed samba.
Worst moments: As a highly consistent performer, he’s not really had any. His kilt-clad McTango way back in week two was Joe’s lowest score and only real flop.
Most likely to: Take a pre-show nap backstage, then come to life on the dancefloor and laugh modestly as he clocks up nines and 10s.
Chances of winning: High. He’s bookies’ hot favourite to become the third male winner in a row, following previous glitterball holders Jay McGuinness and Ore Oduba.
