I’m suddenly very worried for George Clarke on Strictly Come Dancing

George Clarke has been the front-runner to win Strictly Come Dancing since week one.

I was in the likely majority of Strictly viewers who were unfamiliar with George or his social media and podcasting fame, but he has completely bowled over the British public with his self-deprecation, sincere charm and weekly determination – even when he knows he’s not the strongest dancer.

But for the first time since he took to the dance floor 11 weeks ago, I’m worried George’s place in the final is no longer a guarantee – far from it.

George has had one of the roughest journeys on Strictly. He might have always had the unwavering support from viewers, ensuring he has never faced a dreaded dance-off, but he’s been judged harshly at times. 

Poor songs have held him back – I hope I can soon forget his Halloween week Cha Cha to Charli XCX’s Apple.

At the beginning of the contest, he was unfairly compared to Lewis Cope, who is essentially a professional dancer in all but title.

But, it swiftly became clear he wouldn’t hold up as a credible rival to Lewis, and nor should he have been. The commonalities stop at being young, good-looking men.

As competitors, they’re completely different beasts.

But it did mean he was being judged to a strangely high standard compared to some of the other celebrities who just weren’t in the same league as George but were somehow receiving similar or even higher scores.

Regardless of his position on the leaderboard which has fluctuated from the very bottom during Icons week with his Harry Styles inspired Jive, scoring 27, to near the top, scoring a 39 with his sensational salsa in Blackpool, George has remained the hot favourite to win.

His fiercely loyal fanbase has never seemed likely to stop voting for him.

Going into tonight’s quarter-final, I’m not convinced George’s fanbase alone will be enough to save him.

George, Lewis, Balvinder Sopal, Karen Carney and Amber Davies all look like potential finalists, and Lewis, Amber and Karen already have perfect 40s under their belts.

In any other year, each one of them could take the Glitterball and go down as some of the greatest winners in the show’s 21 year history.

If Karen, Lewis or Amber don’t make the final three, it would be criminal. Yes, they all have previous dance training but they have made this series of Strictly absolutely spectacular and without any one of them, the final would lose all its sparkle.

But that leaves just one place in the semi-finals for George and Balvinder to battle it out. I really couldn’t call who has a safe spot – I don’t think anyone does.

Reluctantly, I would call George and Balvinder in the bottom two a fair result.

As the dance-off record-holder, perhaps the EastEnders star could shatter expectations and beat George. 

She had a wobble with her Jive last week but when she came out fighting against Alex Kingston, she corrected all her mistakes and was quite magnificent. She’s dangerous in a way George hasn’t had to reckon with yet. 

I would never have imagined George to be in danger, but for the first time, it feels like he could cause one of the biggest upsets in Strictly history if he is eliminated this weekend. 

According to bookmakers, there’s a new favourite to succeed previous victor, Chris McCausland. Karen has leapt ahead of George, and it does feel as though the former England footballer has gained momentum on the dance floor and with the public.

While Amber arguably has built a career on dance in the West End, (which will arguably serve her well in tonight’s musical week, where she is set to perform a Guys and Doll’s themed Charleston) and Lewis has won dance competitions, Karen hasn’t danced competitively since she ditched the dance floor for the football pitch.

She hasn’t always been consistent this series, but that’s partly why it feels like she’s steamrolling ahead when it really matters. Of everyone left in the game, I’d argue she has shown the most growth.

In week one she was an unexpected triumph but as the weeks went on, her own self-doubt held her back.

The public’s voting record this series remains a mystery, but after Karen and Carlos Gu’s Couple’s Choice routine to Lady Gaga’s Born This Way, I’d bet she received the most votes. 

Suddenly, Karen feels unstoppable. Throughout this whole contest, all she needed was self-belief – and over the last two weeks, it’s clear she’s found it. It’s a tried and tested storyline voters – myself included – love. 

Karen’s surge is overshadowing George’s narrative. The public love an underdog, but they also love growth – and Karen is delivering both.

Hey Maicey, 

With my wonder woman Alex out of the race, my vote could honestly go to any one of the final five. Each of them has strengths that the others don’t and, subsequently, which way I swing will likely be decided on Saturday night. 

If George’s support isn’t quite as bulletproof as it usually is, tonight could be the night his luck runs out. Karen, Lewis and Amber will almost certainly outscore him. 

Amber is the only one of the three who could realistically slip into the dance-off again – and anyone who lands there with her is undoubtedly finished.

One thing is for sure, tonight’s musical themed quarter-final will be a tense watch.

I hope George proves me wrong. Until now he’s felt dead certain to win Strictly Come Dancing, but suddenly he’s not even a dead cert for the semi-final.

Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing Ross.Mccafferty@metro.co.uk. 

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