It looks set to be one of the strongest finals in Strictly history – or so believes this year’s real winner, Anton Du Beke.
For after finally stepping up to judging duties following 18 years as a show pro, there’s no denying he is this season’s true success story.
However, he still cannot wait to see who the audience decides should lift the Glitterball trophy tonight.
He’s thrilled Janette Manrara has made her first final in eight years with HRVY, 21. But as the elder statesman of the dancers, he’s secretly hoping comic Bill Bailey wins for “the over-40s”.
“It’s one of the strongest finals ever – any one of them could lift the trophy,” says Anton, 54. “But the audience must decide. It’s down to you now.
“Bill hasn’t been in dance-off yet so he’s going to be a firm favourite. Maisie Smith and HRVY were the favourites from the start and both marvellous. Maisie is a beautiful ballroom dancer. HRVY is a super talent. I’m really delighted for Janette. It’s unbelievable that she hasn’t been in the final before.
“ Jamie Laing has really committed and fought against all the odds. To get through all the dance-offs and keep raising his level is remarkable.
“But I think it would be great if Bill were to win. It would be a victory for the over-40s!”
There’s only ever been one winner over 40 – actor Joe McFadden with Katya Jones in 2017, when he was 42. Bill is 55.
Anton will watch from the audience tonight – or the “cheap seats”, as Craig Revel Horwood teased him. But this has been a big year for the Du Beke Empire.
His virtual dance classes and Fit at 50 sessions during lockdown were a huge hit, he released his third best-selling novel A Christmas To Remember and – in a move that might have had BBC bosses a little concerned – landed a mini-series on ITV’s This Morning.
It followed him, wife Hannah, 45, and their three-year-old twins George and Henrietta as they shopped, decorated and baked for Christmas.
The biggest surprise of all was his two-week stint as a judge, when Motsi Mabuse was forced to self-isolate. It came two years after he was tipped to replace Darcey Bussell, whose job went to Motsi, four after he was tipped to replace Len Goodman, whose seat went to Shirley Ballas, and eight after he was tipped replace Alesha Dixon – whose shoes Darcey filled.
So how did it feel to finally make the jump? Especially after being eliminated first this season with former Home Secretary Jacqui Smith?
“It made me feel like I was back in the show and I loved it,” says Anton. “I was at home when they called. I told Hannah and she burst into tears.
“I thoroughly enjoyed it and did it to the best of my ability. I would have been disappointed with myself if I had messed it up. Craig was disarmingly nice. It was like he was coming down with something. And the hardest thing was saying everything in 15 seconds.”
The elephant in the room is what happens now he’s had the taste – and was such a success with Strictly fans.
With no slots currently open, will he be able to go back to being a pro next year – still pursuing his first Glitterball trophy? Or will his head be turned? This Morning certainly can’t get enough of former baker Anton and his family.
He says of working for them: “I loved it, because I was doing it with the family. Hannah’s a little bit more nervous but she just wants it to be good for me. And she loves it because the children are having fun.
“If ITV were to give me my own baking show I’d snap it up.” But he quickly adds: “But I wouldn’t leave Strictly to do it. Hopefully it wouldn’t be one or the other.”
In fact, Anton will never quit, whatever happens. Not the strongest bargaining position to get a judging spot. “No one can lure me away from Strictly,” he laughs.
“I just have to wait and see what they ask me to do next – and I’ll be happy with whatever they ask.
“I’m not going to voluntarily leave. They’ll start thinking about next year when this series is over. It’s all their decision.”
And what if judge Bruno Tonioli remains stuck in the US next year and Anton still doesn’t get his place on the panel?
“If they don’t offer it to me, I’ll remain as a dancer, which I'm delighted to do because the only downside of being a judge is that I don’t get to dance.”
A Christmas To Remember by Anton Du Beke is out now, published by Zaffre, in hardback, eBook and audio.
Meanwhile, here's what the finalists have to say for themselves ahead of the big night...
Bill Bailey and Oti Mabuse
Oti has revealed Rob Brydon has said he would now consider doing the show after being inspired by Bill.
She said the Welsh comic is “a big Strictly fan” and “when he saw Bill he thought, ‘Oh my goodness. If I did Strictly, there is a possibility that I can go far”.
Bill, 55, says all the training has made him fitter than he’s been in years. “It is extremely tough,” he said. “I have nothing but respect for dancers and the amount of work that they put in. They’re athletes.”
Bookies’ favourite Bill said he would love to help Oti to become the first pro to win two years running – while becoming the oldest ever winner himself.
“It would be wonderful,” he adds. “It would be an amazing way to cap off this experience for me and for Oti too.”
HRVY and Janette Manrara
Hrvy says if he wins tonight he will give the trophy to his nan – as she is celebrating a major milestone.
“On the night of the final, it’s my nan and grandad’s 60th diamond anniversary,” he says. “They’ve never missed a show. So I said to my nan, ‘Genuinely, if I win and I get a Glitterball, you can put it in your house on the fireplace’.”
The 21-year-old says the contest is “anyone’s game”, adding: “Winning would be an amazing way to end a really bad year.”
Janette, who has never won, is looking forward to reuniting with fellow dancer husband Aljaz tomorrow after 11 weeks apart.
Jamie Laing and Karen Hauer
Getting to the final ahead of Ranvir Singh was controversial, but Jamie, 33, says he deserves his place
on the dancefloor.
“I think everything happens for a reason,” he says. “And it’s been a real long journey and a really great one. So yeah, I think it’s meant to be, 100%.
“Karen deserves it so much. It means so much to her. I’m probably not the best dancer, but we bring our work ethic and we really go for it.”
The Made in Chelsea star, who has survived four dance-offs, adds: “I think some people now think that we’re bribing the judges – it’s got to that point.”
Maisie Smith and Gorka Marquez
Maisie Smith says that despite endless hours trying to perfect the dances, she and Gorka have never fallen out.
“I’m a teenager, I’m hormonal,” the 19-year-old EastEnders star laughs. “Even still, we’ve never bickered.
“It can get frustrating, especially when the dances are quite complicated and it takes you a while to pick them up, but there’s never been tears.”
Maisie says being in the bottom two twice spurred her on.
“It made me realise how much this meant to me,” she adds. “And it did give me a massive push to just keep working as hard as I can. I think that was the turning point for me.”
Strictly Come Dancing: The Final airs tonight on BBC One at 6pm.