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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Charlotte Tutton

Strictly Come Dancing 2021 finalists confirmed as three stars through to live final

Strictly Come Dancing has its final three stars for 2021, ahead of the live finale next weekend.

TV presenter AJ Odudu, EastEnders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis and chef and former The Great British Bake Off champion John Whaite have been announced as this year's finalists.

They faced off tough competition over the series from many including Adam Peaty, Judi Love, Tom Fletcher and Rhys Stephenson, with Rhys being the latest to leave during the semi-final.

Rhys' departure confirmed AJ, Rose and John were the final three, alongside their respective professional dance partners Kai Widdrington, Giovanni Pernice and Johannes Radebe.

It's a history making finale and series too, with two of the finalists making this happen.

AJ Odudu, Rose Ayling-Ellis and John Whaite are the three finalists for BBC's Strictly Come Dancing 2021 (BBC)

Rose is the BBC series' first ever deaf celebrity contestant, while John and pro dancer Johannes formed the show's first ever male same-sex pairing.

All three finalists are worthy winners, having impressed the judges and the viewers at home from the start.

Often topping the leaderboard, AJ and John have only been in the dance off on one occasion each, while Rose hasn't been in it at all.

Strictly Come Dancing has its final three stars for 2021 (BBC/Guy Levy)

The public will have a tough choice to make next week as the final dances are performed, and it's now out of the judges' hands.

Meanwhile, Rhys and pro dancer Nancy Xu narrowly missed out on a place in the final on Saturday as they faced John and Johannes in the dance off.

Speaking of his exit in the semi-finals, he told host Tess Daly: "I might not have gotten to the final but I learnt so much from just being on this show, from everyone here who’s just supported us in this new family.

It's a history making finale and series too (BBC)

"To have the time to spend with this champion of a dancer [Nancy] who’s put so much into me. Thank you for just letting my energy shine. Thank you for being that partner.

"I should use your actual name which is Xu YouJie. Thank you so much Nancy Xu YouJie, for just being there, being my rock and everything I needed to get through this. Thank you."

Strictly Come Dancing's 2021 final airs live at 7pm on Saturday 18 December on BBC One.

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