Strictly Come Dancing final: Amber Davies, George Clarke and Karen Carney in three-way battle to lift Glitterball Trophy – live updates

The former footballer is no stranger to the big stage having starred for Chelsea, Arsenal, Birmingham City and England, racking up 144 appearances to make her one of the country’s most capped female players.

Since hanging up her boots in 2019, the 38-year-old is a leading pundit across men’s and women’s football on ITV and TNT Sports but credits her turn on Strictly for helping her to rediscover her confidence.

Speaking ahead of the final, Karen credited the show for ‘fixing’ her after struggling with crippling insecurities since her retirement from sport.

She said:

I joined the show because I’m a massive fan. For the past five to six years I have been honest about how I have been crushed quite a lot in terms of my confidence. I couldn’t figure out how to fix that. So, part of me thought if I could ever have the opportunity to throw myself into what I thought would be – I always felt in my heart that Strictly would be the thing that would fix me, I don’t know why.

I thought if I ever had the opportunity and privilege to join it, I thought it would be the safe environment to fix me and help me again and it absolutely has.

Before he stepped onto the ballroom, Strictly viewers may not have known much about the 26-year-old who rose to fame on social media across platforms TikTok and Instagram.

But the online star has found a greater following after a string of impressive performances took him to the final.

And after fellow YouTuber Angryginge was crowned King of the Jungle earlier this month, George says he’s glad YouTubers are finally being ‘represented’ on mainstream TV and ‘respected’ enough to be cast on major shows.

George says appearing on Strictly alongside new professional American dancer Alexis Warr has also helped him come out of his shell, allowing him to showcase his personality for the first time without hiding behind a phone screen.

The Welsh actress was not initially included in the Strictly class of 2025 but was called in at late notice following an injury to fellow Love Islander Dani Dyer.

The 29-year-old rose to fame on Love Island in 2017, and has pursued an acting career with lead roles in Pretty Woman, 9 to 5: The Musical and The Great Gatsby.

During her appearance on It Takes Two on Tuesday, Amber became emotional as she reflected on her journey on the show.

She told host Fleur East:

It makes me wanna cry, honestly. I can’t believe I’m here, just the way that we started. I had this random phone call on a Wednesday night, to being in the final and having the best 12 weeks of my life.

Struggling to contain her emotions, she continued: ‘I’m just over the moon. I don’t want it to be over. Have we got any tissues?’

Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon became the tenth couple to be eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing.

In the last dance-off before the final, Balvinder was voted out at the semi-final stage after the judges unanimously chose to save Amber.

The EastEnders star survived a record five dance-offs during her time on the ballroom as she became adept at pulling off big performances when it mattered most.

Before she secured her place in the final three, Amber claimed it was nerve-wracking to go up against the ‘dance off assassin’.

Balvinder and Julian performed their Salsa to Rhythm Is Gonna Get You/Get On Your Feet by Gloria Estefan, before Amber and Nikita performed their Couple’s Choice to RAYE’s Fly Me to the Moon.

Let’s now take a closer look at tonight’s three finalists

Ahead of waltzing away from the show for a final time, Tess has revealed the gift daughters Phoebe, 21, and Amber, 16, who she shares with husband Vernon Kay.

Emotions will run high tonight as Strictly’s longstanding hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman wave farewell to the show after more than 20 years on the ballroom.

Tess and Claudia are planning their Strictly goodbye in style – and they may even take to the dancefloor.

While the pair make a running joke about their two left feet and lack of rhythm, it looks like fans could finally see them perform.

A TV insider told the Daily Mail talks are still in the works about an epic group dance with the professional dancers.

The judges will have their work cut out teaching Claudia, 53, who messed up their Blackpool routine two years ago.

She previously joked: ‘I’m not very good at standing, let alone dancing.’

From left to right: Alexis and George, Nikita and Amber, Karen and Carlos

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Strictly Come Dancing final as Amber Davies, George Clarke and Karen Carney compete to be crowned this year’s ballroom champion.

Fifteen sequin celebrities were confirmed in September including household names in television, music and sport.

For the past 13 weeks the contestants and their professional partners have kept us entertained by showing off their moves.

But as we reach the final it’s time to see who will waltz off with the Glitterball Trophy?

Stick with us for live updates throughout this evening plus all the reaction from viewers at home.