Strictly Come Dancing’s Anton Du Beke has praised the show’s 20th series as “magical” and ranking among the “best ever”
As the BBC dance contest approaches its grand finale on Saturday, celebrities including JLS’s JB Gill, comedian Chris McCausland, Miranda’s Sarah Hadland, and Love Island alum Tasha Ghouri will each strut their stuff through three dances in a bid to claim the coveted glitterball trophy.
Fellow judge Craig Revel Horwood is thrilled with the lineup of finalists, dubbing them all “worthy winners” and anticipates that the final showdown will be “so rewarding”. Anton, delighted by this season’s sparkle, said ahead of the climax: “It’s been such a magical series this year, up there with the best ever.”
Emphasising his feelings of privilege, the former professional dancer who turned to judging cherishes being part of Strictly from the very start, along with Revel Horwood and their colleague Tess Daly. Craig Revel Horwood couldn’t resist sharing his own excitement about the talent in the finals, particularly expressing how “so pleased” he is to see McCausland in the last leg, celebrating the comic’s “fantastic rhythm and joy to watch.”
McCausland, noted as Strictly’s first blind contestant, teams up with Dianne Buswell and they find themselves as the bookies’ top choice for clinching the 2024 series title. Alongside praising McCausland, Revel Horwood applauded Ghouri as an “exceptional dancer” and lauded Hadland’s “amazing” presence on the show. He went further to comment on how Gill has blossomed throughout the competition, now “delighting absolutely everyone” with his routines.
Head judge Shirley Ballas praised the 2024 series of Strictly Come Dancing as “utterly remarkable”, expressing her honour at having a front-row seat to the performances. “The cast have been truly wonderful and the dancing has been off the chart” she said, adding, “I’ve loved being with my fellow judges and getting involved in the fun. It’s been a blast.”
The Strictly judges have enjoyed the show’s 20th series (
Image:
PA Media)
Motsi Mabuse, another judge on the panel, described the series as “one of the most exciting ever” and felt that all the finalists brought “something so unique to the competition”. She continued: “It’s been a joy to watch them grow. They really raised the bar this year. Heading to the final, it’s going to be a tough decision because each finalist brings magic to the dance floor. It’ll be a celebration of their talent and hard work and I can’t wait to see what they all deliver on Saturday night.”
Reflecting on the series, host Tess Daly noted the unique bonds formed on the show. She said: “The secret behind them I believe is laughter – our couples have had so much fun this year – not only on the floor, but with the Judges too and up in Claud’s area. ” “The judges have been amazing once again this year – highlights include the brilliant costumes on theme weeks, who can forget Anton as Rod Stewart on our debut icons week and Shirley flying in as Mary Poppins for movie week. I love them all for their uniquely different viewpoints.”
Claudia Winkleman shared her excitement about this year’s Strictly Come Dancing, saying: “This feels like it’s been an amazing year for Strictly. The cast are simply spectacular.” She gushed, “They’ve worked so hard and they do it with real wit and enthusiasm. Our professionals are extraordinary and all four couples are outstanding.”
The beloved host is eager for the upcoming show, noting, “All our dancers are back together this Saturday and I can’t wait to see them.” The audience can look forward to a treat as the professional dancers will accompany singer-songwriter Raye for a special performance, while the cast of 2024 will make a grand comeback to the dance floor for one final number. Launching in September amid controversy about some former dancers’ alleged teaching methods, the 20th anniversary series has gripped the nation.
