IT'S here! The Strictly Come Dancing 2020 final.
Four celebrities will battle with their dance partners for the chance to win the famous Glitterball trophy this evening.
EastEnders star Maisie Smith and singer HRVY have been hot favourites throughout the series, which is finishing early due to the coronavirus pandemic.
But 55-year-old comedian Bill Bailey has impressed judges and fans alike to reach the final, with Made In Chelsea's Jamie Laing hoping to cap a stunning turnaround after having to withdraw from last year's show with an injury.
And the Strictly final will even get a touch of royalty and fan of the show, Camilla Parker-Bowles, is set to appear via a video message.
The final kicks off at 6pm this evening on BBC One where the 18th Strictly winner will be crowned.
Stay tuned here for all the latest news and build-up ahead of the showpiece…
- Jamie Downham
MAISIE'S GRUESOME INJURY
No path to the final is totally smooth, but poor Maisie Smith has been rehearsing so hard with pro partner Gorka she's picked up a rather nasty-looking injury.
She showed it to Jamie Laing who displayed – how can we say this politely – absolutely zero sympathy at all.
See here for all the unpleasant details.
- Jamie Downham
IDRIS BACKS BILL
Bill Bailey has shared a video message he was sent by Hollywood star Idris Elba.
The Luther actor raved: "Bill, man like Bill. It's Idris, your old dance teacher. Hi Oti! I am so proud of you guys. Congratulations on getting to the final.
"Just enjoy yourself – kill it, you look great. Just remember what I used to say in class. Just remember that stuff. Good luck."
- Jamie Downham
STARS REUNITED TONIGHT
All the Strictly stars from this series are going to be reunited tonight for the traditional group performance.
All the eliminated celebs have returned for rehearsals in recent days, with Clara Amfo posing some behind-the-scenes footage on Instagram yesterday.
Ranvir Singh, Max George, Jason Bell, Jacqui Smith, JJ Chalmers, and Caroline Quentin (remember that lot?) are expected to perform tonight.
- Jamie Downham
GAVIN & STACEY'S ROB BRYDON 'SET FOR STRICTLY'
We could be seeing Gavin & Stacey star Rob Brydon taking to the Strictly Come Dancing dance floor next year.
Why? Because Bill Bailey has convinced him that the older man – often a figure of ridicule on the show – can do well. Rob, at 55, could be said to be edging into that category.
Bill's dance partner Oti told us: "I had a conversation with Rob Brydon the comedian. He’s always watched Strictly, a big, big Strictly fan and he always sees the older gentleman being the comedic act.
"But for the first time he watched it and saw Bill, he thought oh my goodness, if I did Strictly, there is a possibility [I] could go far.
"Because he was a respected man and a respected character in English society, if he ever came onto Strictly that he would want to do – he wanted to be taken seriously, really give it his all."
- Jamie Downham
WHAT DOES THE WINNER ACTUALLY GET?
Well the answer to that question is really a big block of plastic with a disco ball glued on top. But in reality the stars are very well-rewarded for their time on Strictly Come Dancing.
Every celeb gets £25,000 – rising steadily if they cling on in the competition to a maximum of £100,000 for the winner. OK, it's hardly I'm A Celebrity money – but at least you don't have to undergo anything too disgusting, bar Craig's famously brutal critiques.
- Jamie Downham
ROYAL GUEST TONIGHT
We never thought we'd say these words, but Camilla Parker-Bowles is doing Strictly tonight. Sadly a Rhumba with Prince Charles is off the cards but she is going to appear via video.
A royal source told The Sun: “Camilla’s team rang long before filming began and said she was a massive fan — and wanted to be on the show.
“They said she would be happy to do anything, so when they asked her to film a cameo for the final, she leapt at the chance.
“Camilla said her dream was always to appear on the series but royal protocol probably wouldn’t allow it."
- Jamie Downham
WHAT THE BOOKIES ARE SAYING
It's very close to call at the top, but there is one thing the bookies are agreed on – Jamie Laing isn't going to be champion tonight. They put him waaaaaay behind the other three. Sorry, J!
Almost without exception, they reckon Bill Bailey is going to win tonight, closely followed by HRVY in the running, then Maisie Smith. Are they on the money? There's not long to find out now.
- Jamie Downham
MAISIE'S TRIBUTE TO KHLOE
Maisie Smith told us her confidence has rocketed since she started on the show.
She also paid tribute to Khloe Kardashian who, in terms that seem frankly alarming in these germaphobic times, announced she was "drooling over her legs".
The EastEnders actress, 19, said: "It did mean a lot to me that she went out of her way and took her time to say she thought I was beautiful."
Talking about the show she added: "You just have to go out there and do it. And it has pushed me just to get over it. It’s only been eight weeks and I already feel better about myself and I didn’t expect that."
- Jamie Downham
HRVY'S NAN-TASTIC
What will HRVY – come on man, just call yourself Harvey – do with the Glitterball trophy if he wins? It's going straight to his Strictly-obsessed nan.
He told us: "On the night of the final, it is my nan and granddad’s 60th, diamond wedding anniversary. They’ve watched every single Strictly show, they’ve never missed a show since the beginning. I said to my nan, genuinely, if I win and I get the Glitterball, you can put it in your house."
Actually a little bit cute.
- Jamie Downham
WHAT ELSE IS ON TONIGHT?
It's a night of celebrity (and we're going to use the word 'celebrity' a little loosely here) specials tonight.
First up, there's Celebrity Mastermind on BBC1 at 5.25pm, then of course Strictly, then we've got Michael McIntyre's The Wheel, with Chris Kamara, Gyles Brandreth and Carol Vorderman at 8.20pm.
Over on ITV, there's Celebrity Supermarket Sweep with Roman Kemp and Jordan Banjo at 6.20pm, followed by The Chase's celebrity Christmas special at 7.20pm. Of course, that's when Strictly is on so we may never know how James Argent fares against all five Chasers.
- Jamie Downham
NICOLA ADAMS TO RETURN
Poor old Nicola's storming Strictly run came to a juddering halt when the boxer's dance partner Katya Jones tested positive for coronavirus.
But they are both expected to return tonight for the no-singing, all-dancing finale tonight alongside all the other celebs.
- Jamie Downham
WHEN IS STRICTLY ON?
Set your watches folks. Strictly returns at 6pm tonight on BBC1 – and it's a bumper one. The monster finale goes on for a delightful/agonising (delete as appropriate) two hours and 20 minutes. Well, it's not like most of Britain can go out.
- Jamie Downham
STRICTLY GO TIME
Good morning dance fans – it is of course the Strictly Come Dancing live final tonight, with Maisie Smith, HRVY, Bill Bailey and Jamie Laing going head to head (not literally, social distancing please folks).
The Sun Online will be with you throughout the day and tonight bringing you all the build-up and results from the BBC's biggest show of the year. Who do you think is doing to clinch the epic, money-can't-buy prize of (checks notes…) a disco ball on a stick?
At the moment, it seems it's too close to call.
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