It's semi-finals day.
This is the most excited I've been.
We're all over the place.
I've yet to be hair and makeup'd.
Tonight's going to be more chaotic than usual with the two dances.
Double the fun, double the excitement.
We're going to dance our hearts out.
Beautiful!
It is the semi-final.
Woo-hoo!
What a start!
It was clean, it was passionate, it was full of purpose,
darling, you are brilliant.
Yes.
Thank you.
My heart skips a beat.
Congratulations, that was amazing.
For the first time, I let go and saw him kind of wobbling,
and then I was going.
You keep doing that.
Whatever you dance, you have next to shake those hips.
Time for dance, number two.
Oh, I'm feeling it.
Second dance, let's go.
You know what I love about you?
The chemistry.
You have formed a solid partnership.
10!
You are fabulous.
Fabulous, fabulous.
Thank you.
I think this is your best number yet.
Well done.
# Turn my world around #.
It's the final result show.
Yes.
Everybody wants to have that sweet spot in the final.
50% of us will be in the dance off.
Yeah.
Everybody to the floor, please for the semifinal Results Show.
# Turn my world around #.
Welcome to Strictly Come Dancing and the last
Results Show of this series.
Saturday night saw an incredibly high standard of dancing,
with the judges awarding no less than 13 tens.
We are officially polishing the glitterball.
One of these couples will be lifting it next week.
But standing in their way is one final Dance Off.
Before we find out who's in it, let's see
what the judges thought of our semi-final.
A sensational semi-final.
Double the dances, double the pressure
and everybody handled it miraculously well.
That was actually exquisite.
One that I'll remember forever.
The scores were high, but the emotions were even higher.
At the top of the leaderboard, we have Karen and Carlos.
Karen and Carlos' Waltz did have elegant and
beautiful flow of line.
I was very happy with her.
We're speaking about an athlete from a soccer
field, to come out looking like a beautiful Waltz princess.
I'm glad that I was pushed out of my comfort zone.
I've never really felt like a princess.
Tonight it was one of the most special things
I've ever experienced.
We talk about give everything, hold nothing back.
And I felt that she, of all the couples, did that.
We have Amber and Nikita with a combined score of 77.
Amber and Nikita's Tango showed that her ballroom dancing
has improved so much.
He wants to give us a ten.
I did not expect that.
And the nicest thing they praised you for improvement for your frame.
Well, Amber's Couple's Choice was a purely magical number.
Amber was born to dance that dance.
It was faultless.
Three 40s in a row.
Yeah, I'm...
We have George and Alexis with a combined score of 72.
# I'm never gonna not dance again #.
I really love watching him dance.
It's entertaining, it's fun.
I love watching him enjoy this process so much.
I became El Clarko.
I had no control over my hips.
# Dance again #.
I loved George's Charleston, the tiny,
minuscule details that were going on under the desk
and above the desk, and then these explosive lifts.
I just thought it was fantastic.
You make everyone smile.
It's so good, you are an absolute joy.
At the other end of the leaderboard we have Balvinder and Julian
with a combined score of 70.
# I'm never gonna not dance again #.
Balvinder's salsa, I think she did very, very well.
She has made remarkable improvements.
She gave us 100% of her soul today.
We all got emotional on that Waltz, the atmosphere,
the music and the fact that Balvinder has come so far.
The judge's scores and comments,
the crowd reaction felt amazing and I'm just so grateful for that.
There's places in the final.
It's up for grabs.
I have the deciding vote.
It's going to be a very difficult if we tie because whoever I decide
will go through to the final.
I love that you have it because we can cheer.
I don't want it.
You can have it.
You can have it, you can have it.
Bring it on, babes.
Serve it on a plate.
It's the semifinal and I feel the tension
in the building, you know.
I don't know what's coming in the Results Show,
but it would be a dream come true to get to the final.
# Follow me #.
There's only four of us left, and we're all bringing our best selves.
Any one of us is deserving.
I hope, I hope I've done enough.
But that's not up to me.
# Into our wildest dreams #.
We've given everything that we can.
You just hope that that's enough.
I would love to be in the final.
Who doesn't?
You don't get this far without going. ..
"Ah, I've got a shot at this."
I mean, the final's right there!
So close and yet so far.
It would be an absolute honour to be in that final.
No one really is safe.
APPLAUSE.
It's very tense in the studio tonight, four incredible
semi-finalists.
And soon we will find out who is through.
Before that, the first of tonight's musical performances
and Christmas has come early.
Please welcome the utterly brilliant Kylie!
APPLAUSE.
You ready to have some fun, everyone?
# It's Christmas time, can't skip the beat
# Something's coming, coming, coming over me
# How we get through this
# Getting all the presents underneath the tree
# So I can't stop now, I got to go
# No hugging and kissing out there in the snow
# Put it on the menu for later though
# Anything can happen baby I don't know
# But I think we're gonna have a magical time
# Ringing out the bells on the edge of the night
# No one knows the words but we're singing along
# To our song
# Everybody going
# Xmas, Xmas
# Oh yeah we're going
# Xmas, Xmas
# Let me hear you going
# Xmas, Xmas
# Oh, yeah, we're going
# Xmas, Xmas
# But I'm flying, we're soaring out in the street
# Oh, out of here as long as you're next to me
# Even in the glow we're feeling the heat
# You and me together underneath the tree
# But I think we're gonna have a magical time
# Ringing out the bells on the edge of the night
# No one knows the words but we're singing along
# To our song
# Everybody going
# X-m-a-s, X-m-a-s
# Oh yeah we're going
# X-m-a-s, X-m-a-s
# Let me hear you going
# Xmas, Xmas
# Oh yeah we're going
# Xmas, Xmas
# X, the kisses that I got for you
# M, and a very Merry Christmas too
# A, all the love that's in the room
# S, yes, yes, yes!
# Xmas, Xmas
# A little louder now
# Xmas, Xmas
# A little louder now
# Xmas, Xmas
# Everybody going
# Xmas, Xmas
# Oh, yeah we're going
# Xmas, Xmas
# Let me hear you going
# Xmas, Xmas
# Oh, yeah we're going
# Xmas, Xmas
# Everybody going
# Xmas, Xmas
# Oh, yeah we're going
# Xmas, Xmas
# Let me hear you going
# Xmas, Xmas
# Oh yeah we're going
# Xmas, Xmas
# Oh yeah we're going
# Xmas, Xmas. #
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Thank you very much.
Thank you, beautiful dancers.
Thank you so much to Kylie, our professional dancers
and choreographer Mandy Moore for that amazing performance.
Now, for one last time, let's debrief.
Please welcome the judges.
# One more time #.
# Music's got me feeling so free
# We're gonna celebrate #.
# Celebrate and dance so free #.
Fantastic.
Thank you so much.
What a semi-final!
Anton, I love the fact that you and I were chatting
and you said it's unpredictable.
Unpredictable.
Do you know, I love it because you want everybody to dance
well, we're in the semifinal, and you want everybody to dance well.
You don't want it to be decided because somebody goes wrong
or they don't have a great night, which has happened in the past.
You want everybody to go, "Right,
this is the best I've got, have that".
Yeah.
And then it will be what it will be.
And I thought it was a great night.
Thank you so much.
Um, Motsi, let me ask you about the finals next week.
But it's not only about winning is it.
No, it's not only about winning, it's about growing.
It's about, you know, where are my boundaries?
Can I give more?
It's about the ups and downs.
It's about connection.
It's just the journey that you can't explain to anybody
unless they're in here with you.
We really want them to do well.
We're just critiquing them to just move on, be great.
But it's about the story you're telling.
Absolutely.
Shirley, how was the semifinal for you?
The semifinal was probably one of the best semi-finals
that we've ever had in the history of Strictly Come Dancing.
You expect that everyone will put their best foot forward
and the whole run of the show
they will bring all the ingredients and it will accumulate at the end,
in the semifinal and the final to see great dancing.
And that's what we saw in the semi-final.
We saw skills that we didn't know we were going to get.
It was absolutely remarkable from every couple.
Yeah, absolutely right.
APPLAUSE.
Craig, you and Anton disagreed on Amber's Tango?
Yes.
Give me more information.
Well, I didn't, I wasn't being as hard, bizarrely,
as Anton because I really loved it, you know,
And I think that's why we have four judges.
We each have an opinion and I think that's really,
really important.
I thought she did a marvellous job.
Anton was being very, very picky, darling, weren't you?
It was a reasonable job.
Yeah, I turned into you for a minute.
Yeah...
You got back to normal, though, afterwards I felt, as
the evening went on.
Yeah, you pretty much regained yourself.
I felt you were having a sort of a slight moment there.
But, yeah, I was...
A kind of a kind moment.
Yeah, it's unlike you.
Anton, you gave four 10s...
Did I?
..in the semi-final, just tell me why.
I was so impressed with what was put onto
the floor on Saturday night.
Um, and I started from the point where,
OK, I'm going to start from a 10, show me that you deserve this 10.
And every time you don't deserve it, I'll knock a bit off,
then I'll knock a bit off and I'll knock a bit off.
Uh, but I just felt that they just performed to that level
from start to finish.
I was so impressed with things like George's Charleston
because it was so neat and tidy.
And, Karen, her Waltz was unexpected.
That is a moment I shall remember because of where she began
to where she ended.
And that was incredibly impressive.
So it's things like that, really, that make me go, "10".
Thank you so much.
Judges, you have, as always,
been utterly magnificent.
So, as per tradition, here are your best bits.
Please welcome the judges.
You gave it to Salsa face.
You went...
I did.
Let's get ready to Cha, cha, cha.
I didn't like it like that...
I loved it like that.
Ha-ha, ha.
I want whatever Anton's on.
We need it.
201.
Whatever, whatever, whatever, You know?
Fab, you are lush.
Ten.
Did you say "Karaoke? "
# It must have been love
# But its over now
# It must have been good
# But I lost it somehow #.
We got it.
Cue us in, Dave.
Thank you so much.
The judges!
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE.
You're amazing.
Absolutely...
Let me stop you there, darling.
I need Tess up here immediately.
What's happening?
Where's Tess?
Tess Daly, come up here immediately, darling.
Come on.
What's happening?
Hurry along, darling.
I don't know what's happening.
I don't know what...
What's happening?
We'll find out what's happening.
I don't know what's happening.
Sit down.
Oh, I don't know...
Sit in the middle.
OK.
Come on.
What's happening, Craig?
Nothing much.
I just want you to sit in the middle because I've
got a few dance notes for you.
Oh, no.
LAUGHTER.
We as judges, Because this is our last
time in the Clauditorium.
Yes it is, with the gorgeous Claudia
and the gorgeous Tess here as well.
And we just want to tell you both how much
we're going to miss you.
How much we totally and utterly love you to bits.
I mean, we've been working together since It Takes Two.
We've been on the show for 21 years, darling,
looking fabulous.
But we just want you to know, I certainly personally
want to say thank you, Clauds, for the dresses you've
thrown my way and the shoes.
And Tess, for the pizza parties in your dressing room.
Thin crust, of course, always.
And pineapple.
We really, really love you both.
We really do.
And we've got a little surprise for you, a little VT, darling.
Of who?
Where do I start with Tess and Claudia?
Year one, Bruce and Tess were there delivering
this brand new show.
So nice to be working with you, Tess.
Bruce, Well, I'm so excited
to be working with you.
That was the first day in 2004.
I enjoyed it, well done.
She started the show pregnant.
And she's done it all the way to 2025
having raised a remarkable family.
And we'll be back here same time, same place next week.
It's a live show and she's as on it as you could possibly be.
What I loved about Claude on It Takes Two was the fact
that she was just so kooky and wild.
Do you not think a bit of encouragement?
You know, like when you're doing maths and they go,
"Good for you..."
Claudia.
The balls of your feet, always.
She's so quick and spontaneous.
She can make anything out of anything.
Don't mind me.
Yes.
You're having a problem with your Frenkle...
Fleckerl.
Between the two of them, they are magic.
Two lovely young ladies who will be hosting
the show from now on.
I wish them all the luck in the world.
All we hope is that we don't let you down.
Oh, you won't.
Are you ready?
To be honest, I don't think so.
No, you know I love you, but are you sure you can do this?
It could get messy.
Just to warn you.
Yeah, I'm ready.
Tess and Claudia together, I think, are a power couple.
And they sort of go together like Laurel and Hardy.
You look adorable.
Been keeping in touch with us all.
I'm in love with her, continue.
So do you.
Just enjoy the props.
Sorry.
They're all his own teeth, just clarify that!
Motsi.
They're not fake.
No, they're not.
And in honour of Coldplay, I thought we should get
out our very own audience cam.
I love you.
I do.
Halloween's next week.
Oh.
Next week.
Back to tonight.
After all these years, 20 years, and neither of them
learned a step of dancing.
# I know I can count on you #.
Tess and Claude were the first people I met on
Strictly Come Dancing, and they were just so welcoming.
Welcome to the Strictly family.
Showed me the ropes and cared about me.
I for sure am going to miss them deeply.
# You've got the love.
Really, really special people.
Simply put, Tess and Claudia are fab-u-lous!
They're fun, they're funny.
I love working with them, I love being with them.
I'm going to miss them.
I know one thing for certain, without a doubt,
they will keep dancing badly.
Keep dancing!
Keep dancing.
# But you've got the love I need to see me through #.
Thank you.
Oh, no, no, no.
We love you.
It's not over yet.
We love you so much.
We love you.
We thought you deserved something very special to go away with.
Where's the lovely Kai, darling?
Here he is.
Two trophies.
Oh!
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
And can I just say it's not for dancing?
No, I think that's clear.
Thank you so much.
So special.
Thank you for all your gorgeous words.
I can't believe that we're so lucky.
We're so lucky.
And you and everybody who makes the team, we are so, so.
It's been an honour.
Yeah,
and you guys are like family to us.
And we'll always feel like that about you.
Love you to bits.
The whole team is just the best team.
We've had the most amazing time.
Um, thank you.
I didn't have to move for this.
In just a moment, we will find out who is in the Dance Off.
And this is what it's all about, a place in the Strictly final.
Thank you. Thank you.
12 weeks ago.
We stepped onto the ballroom floor.
It's been magical and thrilling.
Strictly has been the best experience of my life.
I never thought I'd enjoy it as much as I do.
Next week is the final.
Everybody wants to be in the final.
Only three of us will make it.
The competition is unbelievably strong.
To get this far, I have given absolutely everything.
I've realised There are things that I previously thought
I couldn't do that I can.
I didn't expect to learn so much about my resilience
and fighting spirit.
To make it to the final would mean everything.
It would be a dream come true.
The glitterball is within touching distance.
But only one of us will lift it.
APPLAUSE
15 celebrities started the competition
and nine have fallen to the Dance-Off.
And tonight, one more must leave the ballroom.
Karen and Carlos.
George and Alexis.
Balvinder and Julian.
Amber and Nikita.
Two of you will go straight through to next week's final.
Two of you must dance again tonight.
The results are in.
The public have voted, and I can now reveal that the first
Strictly Come Dancing finalists are...
..George and Alexis.
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE.
Thank you so much.
Thank you.
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
And the second couple through to the final are...
..Karen and Carlos!
Yes!
What's up, baby!
Thank you so much!
Thank you!
Karen and Carlos, George and Alexis, congratulations.
Thank you so much.
You are finalists.
Balvinder and Julian, and Amber and Nikita,
I'm so sorry,
that does mean you are in tonight's Dance-Off.
Please come and join me.
APPLAUSE
Oh, my goodness.
You are both wonderful competitors.
I'm so sorry that you are here.
Balvinder, you know how to take on a Dance-off.
You are so close.
Are you ready to take it on?
Do you know what?
It is an honour to dance again in the Dance-Off.
APPLAUSE
Thank you very much.
Amber, I know it is so tough to be standing
here in the semi-final.
How are you feeling?
Well, I'm scared to go against our very own
Dance-Off assassin.
But yeah, I feel the same.
I feel excited to get to do the dance again.
It is, it is an honour.
So I agree with Bal.
Thank you.
APPLAUSE
Craig, as the judge, with the casting vote decision tonight,
your vote may send one of these couples through to the final.
What have they got to do to win your vote?
Well, it's difficult because you're both so amazing.
You know, your dances are extraordinary.
And I would just say, please enjoy the moment,
because it could be your last dance and you want to go
out on a great high.
So, just have fun.
APPLAUSE
Thank you.
So for both of you now, just one dance stands between you and
a place in the final.
You've got this.
Best of luck from all of us.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
Claudia is with our first two Strictly finalists.
Thank you, Tess.
Absolute joy up here.
Kaz, you love Strictly.
Did you ever think, "Yeah, do you know what?"
"Probably make it to the final."
I felt like I'd won a competition being cast in it, let
alone come this far.
Honestly, I've watched it, as I've said many
times for years on end and to be where we are, literally,
I haven't comprehended it just yet.
But for everyone that's made it happen,
thank you so much.
Yeah, your reaction was brilliant.
Both of you just screaming.
On Saturday night, you topped the leaderboard.
The last time you did that was Week 1.
Wow.
It's a journey.
It really is a journey.
Carlos, I love the fact that you've said you feel
like you've become part of Kaz's family.
I mean, like, her whole family is kind of like Kaz.
They're very humble and down to earth people,
and they're welcome me so beautifully,
especially Marie, her mom.
And it's just like my mum and she the way she holds me, she hacks me.
And every time she greeted me, it just gave me the best feeling
and makes me feel safe.
So that was really special.
And thank you for that.
Oh, you're welcome.
Tell us about your show dance.
We've made it to the final.
I mean, I'm so buzzing!
Everything is about celebrating now.
It's a celebration.
It's given everything that Kaz is good at
and throw into it and having fun, and our song is actually
a perfect match for her.
It's "In Your Smile".
You're starting to smile from the inner self, you know?
Yeah.
You make everyone smile.
Here it is.
Oh, yeah.
# Coz you make me feel
# Yeah, yeah
# You make me feel wild.#
Look at her, she's feeling it.
It's the best.
I can't wait.
Congratulations.
Well done.
Thank you.
George.
Hello.
George, George, George, you are a Strictly finalist.
That's mental.
Does it feel good?
I mean, it's insane to think that that's even a possibility.
Like the fact that that's real.
Yeah.
I mean, it doesn't feel real.
But, yeah, I mean, I didn't expect anything of myself.
I was, as Kaz said, over the moon, to get the invite onto the show.
And I was like, sure, I'll give it a go.
But I didn't expect anything.
But I love the fact you've also said you've discovered
a lot about yourself.
Tell me more.
Yeah, I think the first sort of maybe five or six weeks.
I was like, OK, we're in the training,
we're learning the moves.
This is that, that goes there.
But I feel like over time it really clicked
that you just have to just go for it and not care.
Yeah.
And I feel like that's something that I've always had
holding me back a little bit.
I guess in anything I do, even if I'm making like a little joke,
sort of three seconds later, I'll giggle just to be like,
"That was a joke, by the way."
Yeah.
So like, it's given me a new lease of life
in the sense of I feel like I can just let go
and throw my hips about a bit.
And realistically, what's the worst that's going to happen?
Someone on Twitter says "those hips were rubbish."
OK, I don't know you.
Yes.
Yeah.
Continue.
Alexis, your first Strictly.
Congratulations.
You're in the final!
To our new girl, well done, you.
I'm speechless.
Well, just...
Thank you,
I'm just lost for words.
I feel so grateful.
And I'm just so excited.
It's been so special, this journey, and I.
I can't thank you enough.
You're so sweet.
Tell us about your show dance, please.
Yes.
Our show dance is going to be a celebratory evolution
of George's journey.
And it's going to be to this.
# You gotta let me go.
# Are we human?
It's such a good song!
Amazing.
I loved it.
I was like, he really is letting go.
He's gonna sing.
And then he went, uh-oh, that's more than enough.
Congratulations.
Yeah, I know you're so happy, Carlos.
And I feel it, isn't it?
It's fantastic.
Well done.
Soon the Dance-Off, but before that, some more music.
Please welcome James!
# I sing myself to sleep
# A song from the darkest hour
# Secrets I can't keep
# In sight of the day
# I swing from high to deep
# Extremes of sweet and sour
# Hope that God exists
# I hope, I pray
# Drawn by the undertow
# My life is out of control
# I believe this wave will bear my weight
# So let it flow
# Oh sit down (sit down)
# Oh sit down (sit down, sit down)
# Oh sit down (sit down)
# Sit down next to me
# Sit down, down (sit down, sit down)
# Down, down, down (sit down, sit down)
# In sympathy
# Now I'm relieved to hear
# That you've been to some far out places
# It's hard to carry on
# When you feel all alone
# Now I've swung back down again
# And it's worse than it was before
# If I hadn't seen such riches
# I could live with being poor
# Oh sit down (sit down)
# Oh sit down (sit down, sit down)
# Oh sit down (sit down)
# Sit down next to me
# Sit down, down (sit down, sit down)
# Down, down, down (sit down, sit down)
# In sympathy
# Those who feel the breath of sadness
# Sit down next to me
# Those who find they're touched by madness
# Sit down next to me
# Those who find themselves ridiculous
# Sit down next to me
# In love, in fear, in hate, in tears
# In love, in fear, in hate
# Down. #
# Oh sit down (sit down)
# Oh sit down (sit down, sit down)
# Oh sit down (sit down)
# Sit down next to me
# Sit down, down (sit down, sit down)
# Down, down, down (sit down, sit down)
# In sympathy
# Oh sit down (sit down)
# Oh sit down (sit down, sit down)
# Oh sit down (sit down)
# Sit down next to me
# Sit down, down (sit down, sit down)
# Down, down, down (sit down, sit down)
# In sympathy
# Down. #
APPLAUSE
Thank you very much to James and our
professional dancers.
Now, for Balvinder and Jools and Amber and Nikita, it
all comes down to this.
Only one of them can make it to next week's final.
Dancing first with their salsa, it's Balvinder and Julian.
# O eh, o eh (O eh, o, eh)
# O eh, o, oh-ah (O eh, o, oh-ah)
# At night
# When you turn off all the lights
# There's no place that you can hide
# No, no, the rhythm is gonna get you
# Rhythm is gonna get you
# The rhythm is gonna get you tonight
# You say I know it's a waste of time
# There's no use trying
# Deep in your heart is the answer
# Find it, I know it'll pull you through
# Get on your feet (Get on your feet)
# Get on your feet (Get up and make it happen)
# Get on your feet (Oh yeah)
# (Hey!) Get on your feet tonight!
# (Hey!) Yeah!
# (Hey!). #
APPLAUSE
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Balvinder and Jools have made their bid for the final.
Their fate now rests with the judges.
Dancing next with their Couples' Choice,
it's Amber and Nikita.
APPLAUSE
MUSIC: Fly Me To The Moon
# Fly me to the moon
# And let me play among the stars
# Let me see what spring is like
# On Jupiter and Mars
# In other words, please be true
# In other words, I love you
# Yeah
# Fill my heart with song
# And let me sing forevermore
# You are all I long for
# All I worship and adore
# Baby, in other words, please be true
# Do-do-do, in other words
# In other words, I love you
APPLAUSE
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Beautiful.
Well done, you.
You OK?
Thank you for everything.
This was a difficult position to be in,
and both our couples rose to the occasion.
Balvinder and Julian, and Amber and Nikita
have given it their all.
But who will be a Strictly finalist?
Judges, it's over to you.
Based on that Dance-Off alone, I'm about to ask each of you
the name of the couple you think deserves to stay,
and why.
The couple with the most votes will remain
in the competition.
The other couple will leave Strictly Come Dancing.
In the event of a tie, our judge with the casting vote -
and that's you this week, Craig - will have the final say.
So, Motsi, we'll start with you.
Who do you want to send through to the Strictly final and why?
Well, it was a really beautiful Dance-Off
because of the beautiful dancing we saw.
And I want to see next week in the final,
Amber and Nikita.
APPLAUSE
Shirley, who do you think deserves to stay in Strictly and why?
Well, amazing, two top-class ladies in every respect,
and I've enjoyed the journey of both.
Fantastic.
But on this occasion, I'm going to have to
save Amber and Nikita.
APPLAUSE
That's two votes for Amber and Nikita.
If Anton now votes to save them, they are through to next
week's grand final.
So, Anton, who has secured your vote and why?
Well, I have to say this.
It was it was an excellent Dance-Off.
And also, Balvinder, you are like a different woman
in an instant dance or a Dance-Off.
You are unrecognisable.
You just danced amazingly.
Amber, you brought such quality and refinement
to your performance as well.
I'm going to save Amber and Nikita.
APPLAUSE.
Amber and Nikita, congratulations!
You are in the final.
That means, of course, we're going to have to say goodbye
to Balvinder and Julian.
Come and join me.
Craig, did you agree with your fellow judges?
Yes.
Amber and Nikita.
Thank you.
Balvinder, give me a hug.
Give me a hug!
Oh, darling.
Thank you.
What a journey you have had, Balvinder.
I hope you are so proud of yourself.
You made it all the way to the semi-final.
Have you enjoyed your experience on Strictly?
No, no!
Don't say that!
No, I've loved it.
I've absolutely adored every single minute.
All the Dance-Offs, all the challenges.
But just like, more than anything, just being in this building
and dancing on this floor with such an amazing human being.
Yeah, it was my yes year, and I said yes to Strictly.
And, you know, my family, we've had some hard times,
but they've been here.
APPLAUSE
You know, the judges said on Saturday night that you two have
the most beautiful partnership, and you have come such a long way.
What would you like to say to Julian?
I mean, I have no words, actually.
You've been brilliant in every sense of the word,
when I've wobbled or when I've felt really
brilliant about, you know, the dance,
that I've got the steps right.
You've just held me in your hands and you've gone,
"Bal, we've got this.
"It's just me and you, and we're going to do this together."
And we have done every single dance together.
I've never felt alone on this floor, and I just.
I want you to remember me because it's your first year.
APPLAUSE
I want you to think of me fondly.
Don't replace me too soon.
Julian, your first partner on Strictly is Bal.
CHEERING
You've come all this way.
Your mum's come all the way across the world.
She got to see you dance in the semi-final.
Yeah.
What has your partnership with Bal meant to you?
Oh, I mean, I can't really put it into words.
I just think that Bal embodies what this competition is about.
Like, her spirit is unbreakable.
And you have shown me that I'm actually dreaming too
small and that
whatever any of us, Bal can aspire, all of us, whatever any
of us want in life, all you have to have
is the desire to go after it.
It took six Dance-Offs and a perfect score to take this lady out.
So I am so, so proud of you.
APPLAUSE
Do you know, everyone's been brilliant?
Like the minute you walk into this building.
Everyone, the crew, and, you know, it's like a massive hug.
Every single time I've walked in, people have
just held me and gone, you know,
you're all right.
It's like it's such a wonderful place to work.
And the judges and all the other pros as well.
And Claude and Tess, you...
I'm grateful that I got to be on the show on your last
moment here, as well.
Because you for me, you and Claudia are what Strictly is about.
You know, you're the era of Len Goodman and Bruce Forsyth,
and that's when I started watching it.
And that, for me, is really special.
So this year has been full of so many serendipitous moments.
I'm just so lucky.
I'm so lucky, and I'm really grateful.
We are also very lucky because getting to watch you dance
and learn to dance has been such a joy.
You are our Strictly super fan.
You know what happens next?
I hate to say this.
No, I don't mind.
I've actually had an absolute ball.
It's been glorious.
Thank you.
If you wouldn't mind taking your place
for one last dance.
Thank you, darling.
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
I'm so proud of you.
So this is it.
Balvinder and Julian will join Fleur and Janette
on It Takes Two on BBC Two and iPlayer.
Our final line up is complete.
And next Saturday at 7:00pm, Amber, Kaz and George will compete
to be crowned 2025 Strictly champions.
But now, with their farewell to the ballroom,
it is the very brilliant Balvinder and Julian.
# You were my strength when I was weak
# You were my voice when I couldn't speak
# You were my eyes when I couldn't see
# You saw the best there was in me
# Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
# You gave me faith 'cause you believed
# I'm everything I am because you loved me.#
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE