Comedian McCausland Emerges as Bookmakers’ Favorite for Strictly Come Dancing Win

After weeks of intense competition, the Strictly Come Dancing finalists are preparing for their final performances on the dance floor. Four celebrities are competing for the glitterball trophy during the show’s 20th anniversary season: Chris McCausland, JB Gill, Sarah Hadland, and Tasha Ghouri. Comedian McCausland, who is the first blind contestant on “Strictly,” has become the leading contender according to bookmakers, having garnered favor from both the public and the judging panel. The live broadcast of the grand final is scheduled for Saturday, commencing at 18:00 GMT on BBC One and available via iPlayer. The series began with 15 couples, now reduced to four. Each finalist pair will present three routines to a live audience and the “Strictly” judges, after which the public will cast votes to determine the champion. Additional segments of the program will feature the professional dancers performing with singer Raye, and the entire 2024 cast returning to the dance floor for a final group routine. Prior to the final, McCausland described his training as “relentless,” noting that he discovered he possessed “a lot more resilience and determination” than he had previously recognized. He stated, “It’s been exhausting, and it’s been the scariest thing I’ve ever done, but I think it’s certainly been the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done.” He further added, “And it’s probably the thing that’s going to have the most lasting effect on me in terms of my outlook on the world and life, and really the opportunities that I have.” The 47-year-old and his professional partner, Buswell, are scheduled to perform several routines in the grand final, including their waltz to “You’ll Never Walk Alone” by Gerry and the Pacemakers. Additionally, the duo will recreate their couple’s choice routine set to John Lennon’s “Instant Karma,” which they initially presented last month. This particular dance, which gained significant traction on social media, featured the comedian covering Buswell’s eyes as the stage lights dimmed. Moments later, the lights returned, revealing him spinning Buswell on his shoulders amidst a display of pyrotechnics. The judges awarded the pair a score of 33 out of a possible 40, with Craig Revel Horwood characterizing the “poignant blackout moment” as “absolutely spectacular.” McCausland’s vision loss, attributed to retinitis pigmentosa, occurred during his 20s and 30s, leading to his registration as blind. He disclosed that his 11-year-old daughter initially felt “nervous” about his participation in “Strictly,” fearing he might fall and “embarrass” himself. However, he noted that she now supports him to win. He recounted, “She’d say every Saturday, ‘It doesn’t matter daddy if you go out because I think you’ve already won’.” He continued, “And then it was when we got to the semi-finals she said, ‘Daddy, do you know when I said it doesn’t matter? I’ve changed my mind. I think you can win this thing’.” Gill has advanced to the final, though his initial dance partner, Amy Dowden, had to withdraw from the series last month due to a foot injury. In November, the professional dancer shared on Instagram her heartbreak over being unable to continue. This occurred shortly after the Caerphilly-born dancer completed chemotherapy. Dowden subsequently clarified that her injury was distinct from her prior health concerns, stating that she required rest but anticipated a return. Fellow professional Lauren Oakley replaced her, forming a partnership with the JLS singer. Their planned routines include a Show Dance set to a Motown Medley and a Viennese Waltz to “Let’s Go Fly A Kite” from “Mary Poppins.” Gill expressed that it was an “honour” to have been partnered with Dowden, and he also lauded his current dance partner. Gill remarked, “It’s an incredible feeling. To make it here, to be here, alongside Lauren, is amazing.” As a member of a highly successful band, Gill entered the competition with some prior dancing experience. Despite the change in partners, he has maintained high scores on the leaderboard and enters the final in the leading position. Nevertheless, he stated that he faced weekly challenges and acquired new skills. He commented, “You have good weeks and you have bad weeks. Yes, the steps are one thing, but actually it’s about feeling it and enjoying it.” Last year, professional dancer Vito Coppola secured victory in the competition with “Coronation Street” actress Ellie Leach. He aims to replicate that achievement on Saturday evening with “Miranda” actress Hadland. Hadland, aged 53, has garnered commendation throughout the series for her impactful messages encouraging women’s self-belief. In a video clip preceding her routine last month, she mentioned receiving many messages from women her age who had ceased dancing. She declared to the camera, “Other people aren’t telling me what I can and can’t do. I am.” This statement generated considerable online discussion. One X user commented, “My favourite genre of couple’s choice is a woman talking about self growth and discovery… and deliver the hottest fosse number possible.” Another user wrote, “Sarah Hadland melts my heart, I love her so much.” For Saturday’s final, the pair’s performances will include a Cha Cha to Madonna’s “Like A Prayer” and an American Smooth to Heather Small’s “Proud.” Discussing the upcoming final, Hadland stated that she entered the competition believing herself to be “a very confident person” and aware of her capabilities. However, throughout the series, she recognized that she imposes limitations on herself. She explained, “Now I’ve realised it, you don’t know it’s happened to you, and then you say, ‘Oh, how much in other parts of my life am I doing this?'” She emphasized, “You shouldn’t ever reach a point in your life for whatever reason, that you say, ‘That’s me, that’s my limit’. You shouldn’t do that, because you’re stopping all these possibilities.” Former “Love Island” personality Ghouri, 26, along with her dance partner Aljaž Škorjanec, will also compete in the final from a strong standing. This pair was the first in the current series to achieve a score of 10 and a perfect 40, for their refined American Smooth performance to Lewis Capaldi’s “Someone You Loved.” In Saturday’s final, they are set to repeat that routine and also present a new show dance to Benny Goodman’s “Sing, Sing, Sing.” Ghouri marks “Strictly’s” second deaf contestant, following Rose Ayling-Ellis’s victory in the competition three years prior. Ahead of the final, Ghouri described her experience on “Strictly” as “an absolute dream, especially bedazzling my cochlear implant.” She mentioned that the show’s costume department consistently adorned her implant with diamantes each week to complement her outfits. She stated, “The amount of messages I’ve got from – especially younger women, younger children, teenagers – who have said, ‘I felt represented because I’ve seen you on TV, I started decorating mine as well’, and that’s the power of representation, it’s so important to have that.” Last month, the model, author, and podcaster from North Yorkshire displayed visible emotion on the program while discussing the adverse online reactions she had previously encountered concerning her disability. However, reflecting on her “Strictly” journey, Ghouri characterized it as “magic” and “crazy.” She concluded, “I feel like it’s just been such a special year to be part of and representation is so important to have and I feel so passionate about it.” Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.