Strictly Come Dancing final: who will hoof their way to glitter ball glory?

Could Strictly Come Dancing finally Crown it's first champions of the same sex? As we approach the grand finale on Saturday night, all eyes are on actor Layton Williams and his professional dance partner Nikita Kuzmin. They seem to be the top-performing team and could potentially make history by winning the coveted glitter ball trophy.

2020 saw the inclusion of same-sex couples in the show, but UK's version was slower to catch up to other editions around the world. However, this year's same-sex pairing has already matched the success of John Whaite and Johannes Radebe, who made it to the final in 2021. If they manage to win the coveted trophy, it would be a significant moment for promoting diversity and inclusivity on mainstream television. It's good to see this progress, even if it took longer than expected.

Williams, a 29-year-old actor from Bury, is widely recognized for his exceptional performances in the Bad Education sitcom and musical theatre productions. Throughout the entire series, he has continued to impress as a dynamic dancer who blends strength with elegance, earning him the highest number of points in the competition. Within 12 weeks, Williams has topped the leaderboard an unprecedented seven times. Most recently, he received the sole two perfect scores of 40 points in the past two weeks. Nevertheless, his time on the show has been mired by a slew of controversy and negative feedback.

There's been increasing criticism about Johannes Radebe's dance experience, as he was trained for the stage and has quite the resume on London's West End. Some people think he shouldn't be allowed to compete because he doesn't have formal training in ballroom or Latin styles, but he's being accused of being too professional for an amateur competition. Unfortunately, this backlash has also included racist and homophobic comments towards him. He's made history as the show's first male celebrity to perform in a dress, but has faced terrible online abuse. Despite everything, he's remained dignified throughout.

The panel of judges declared him as one of the most exceptional candidates ever. Nevertheless, the ultimate outcome solely relies on the votes from viewers. If there's insufficient audience backing, it might hinder Williams from securing the victory. If this happens, Ellie Leach, a skilled contender from Bury, could take the opportunity to become the 21st winner of Strictly. Bookmakers have high hopes for her.

The former Coronation Street actress, who is 22 years old, is a highly deserving candidate to win. She's come in second place only to Williams on the overall scoreboard and she's been at the top of the leaderboard four times. Leach is known for her unwavering consistency and is considered to be the most adaptable dancer among her peers, performing equally well in both ballroom and Latin styles.

Leach has a secret weapon in her pursuit of the title, and it comes in the form of her charming partner Vito Coppola, who is from Italy. He is well-liked by viewers due to his lively interviews and his ability to compare dance moves to animals. Through this, he has become quite popular among viewers. Coppola has reached the finals in previous seasons as a Strictly professional, the latest being with Fleur East, where they finished as runners-up 12 months ago. There were whispers of romance between Coppola and Leach, but there's no need to worry about the infamous "Strictly curse" since both of them are currently single. However, they share a sparkling chemistry that is unmistakable.

In an all-actor final, EastEnders' Bobby Brazier is considered the least likely to win. At just 20 years old, he would be the youngest winner ever. Despite growing up in the public eye as the child of Jade Goody, a reality TV personality who passed away, he has made a name for himself as a promising actor and advocate for mental health. With his attractive appearance and charming personality, Brazier has a passionate following who will need to work hard to help him win. Though he has scored the lowest overall and has been in the bottom two twice, he has managed to survive each time.

Who will come out on top: the trailblazer, the contender favored by the bookies, or the dancing sensation? Regardless of who wins, we will have a fresh professional champion. Kuzmin, Coppola, and Buswell's partner Brazier have never had the opportunity to hoist the glitter ball trophy. Each duo will showcase three routines during the Saturday evening spectacle: their personal choice, the judges' selection, and the exciting show-dance – a unique and dazzling performance that viewers eagerly anticipate year after year.

The autumn franchise of BBC has come to a wonderful end, marking a successful year for the renowned company. The highlights of this year included the breathtaking performance of Angela Rippon, who, at the age of 79, left everyone in awe with her amazing levitating leg lift. As a broadcaster, Rippon had previously presented the original series Come Dancing during the 80s in Blackpool Tower ballroom, and she completed a full circle by bowing out there.

Annabel Croft, the former tennis player who inspires many, narrowly missed getting into the final. Despite the immense sadness of her husband Mel Coleman's sudden death in May, Croft managed to maintain a positive attitude and regained her self-assurance. Her scores increased significantly from a mere four to an excellent ten, which brought her to the semi-final round.

A lot happened in the recent show with some unexpected exits. Amanda Abbington, a well-known performer, left the show due to her personal issues, and Nigel Harman, who is a well-known Casualty lead, withdrew after injuring his rib in practice. Additionally, Krishnan Guru-Murthy, a news anchor on Channel 4, put on some makeup and shed some weight. Meanwhile, Les Dennis, a well-known comedian, came down from the ceiling using a sparkly anchor.

Many other reality shows are not doing well lately. ITV's famous I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! has seen a decline in its ratings, while BBC's Survivor remake has not been successful either. However, Strictly Come Dancing remains as popular as ever on Saturdays, giving viewers a lot of excitement. In fact, its regular audience of 9 million people is expected to increase up to 11 million for the finale. The only thing left to discover is who will replace Hamza Yassin and take home the fancy trophy.