I wanted the best dancer to win Strictly Come Dancing – until now

A Strictly Come Dancing final is only really thrilling when everything is still up for grabs. That almost never happens. 

By the time we’ve watched contestants waltz through the winter for three months, there’s usually a clear winner by Halloween.

But tonight it’s wide open.

Karen Carney, George Clarke and Amber Davies are the three stars battling it out after one of the strongest series in years – packed with perfect 40s, some of the most memorable performances in Strictly history, and Lewis Cope, arguably the best dancer the show has ever seen in its 21 years.

I’d love to call it a three-horse race, but it would take a miracle for Amber to enter the exclusive club of Strictly winners, even if she is by far the best dancer.

It’s near-certain between YouTuber George and former England footballer Karen, both who never faced the dreaded dance-off.

George entered the race as front-runner almost from the get-go. His devoted fanbase has proven its loyalty by saving him time and time again, even when he’s crashed to the bottom of the leaderboard – albeit undeservedly so.

He hasn’t always been the strongest dancer, but he’s faced unfair criticism from judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke, and persevered with a smile and a determination that makes him a worthy finalist.

Last Saturday, he performed his best dance of the entire series: a punchy Inbetweeners-inspired Charleston that was somehow both goofy and slick, showcasing more technical ability than we’ve seen from George before.

If there was any doubt he deserved a place in the final, he proved otherwise.

But in the final lap, Karen has been on fire. She’s gained astonishing momentum that hasn’t slowed, and now – when it matters most – she’s the one to beat, albeit only by a sliver.

George’s fanbase shouldn’t be underestimated, and with the final decided solely by the public vote, he could well take the glitterball.

Social media stars come armed with thousands of votes already – just look at Angry Ginge, who clinched one of the biggest vote shares in I’m A Celebrity history just two weeks ago, despite being relatively unknown outside his following.

I went into the series rooting for former Love Island winner Dani Dyer or Game of Thrones star Kristian Nairn, only for both to withdraw from injury before the contest had even begun.

Alex Kingston and Johannes Radebe stole my heart for much of the series, but then Lewis emerged as the most mesmerising dancer Strictly has ever seen. Dance experience or not, he had all the makings of a champion. 

I was crushed when Amber landed in the bottom two for a second time in the quarter-final, and, essentially, was told she didn’t have the public backing and spent the next week wanting nothing more than to see her in the final. Though she got through, this was only due to yet another unearned dance off.

Now that she can’t be eliminated and she’s got her rightful place in the last three, I almost feel a sense of relief that we’ll get to see Amber’s Showdance.

After the ride Amber’s had to get to the final, she’s already a champion. 

But for me the winner has to be Karen. No one’s journey has moved me more, having completely transformed both as a dancer and a personality bursting with confidence we couldn’t see at the beginning.

The Lioness took everyone off guard when she roared into the competition with a ferocious Jive. Until that first dance, Karen wasn’t on anyone’s radar – but instantly became a force to be reckoned with.

She is set to dazzle us once more with that iconic Jive, as her couple’s choice tonight, alongside her Showdance and her Judge’s Pick of the Argentine Tango. 

Footballers have an unwanted history on Strictly, often proving surprisingly terrible with their footwork, displaying impressively poor timing and subsequently crashing out.

Karen broke the tradition. Her feet were on fire, with kicks you’d expect from a professional footballer but rarely see on the dance floor. It was only week one and she was remarkable, topping the leaderboard, becoming the first footballer to do so in 18 years.

She hasn’t always been consistent. The following week, her Tango scored a miserable 20 points, and it took another four weeks before she broke the 30 mark. Once she did, though, there was no turning back.

The passion and fire of her Halloween Week Argentine Tango made it my favourite dance. Karen’s Peaky Blinders-inspired routine was up there with some of the best Strictly has ever seen, at a point when she was probably at risk of elimination had she not pulled something special out of that flat cap. Her synchronicity with Carlos was so intense it felt almost hypnotic.

But the moment Karen became a winner was her Couple’s Choice to LGBTQ+ anthem Born This Way by Lady Gaga. Starting atop a podium marked with words that define her: Strength. Lioness. Focus.

Karen delivered a performance that was fearless, joyful and utterly commanding. The surprise solo break, the spins, the sheer confidence – a champion’s routine.

Her technical ability aside, few dancers of her calibre have been quite so humble throughout their Strictly journey. Competition is in her nature but not once have I detected a whiff of ego – even when she’s been adorned with four 10s and genuine emotion from the judges.

And then there’s Carlos Gu. Their chemistry is undeniable – one of the strongest partnerships Strictly has ever produced. Technique matters, but connection matters more, and theirs has been one of the quiet triumphs of the series.

One thing is for sure, this year’s final will be a knife-edge finish. 

Karen has my vote and, I hope, she has yours too.

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

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