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Simon Duke

When is the Strictly final? Competition heats up in race for the Glitterball as twist is pulled

Christmas is just week away now which means that another event is firmly on the horizon - the Strictly Come Dancing final.

Yes, it might not seem like a second ago since this year's couples were partnered up, but the calendar doesn't lie and we're now into December and hurtling towards the climax of Strictly 2020.

This year's series has given us lots of talking point - there's the fact long-standing judge Bruno Tonioli is effectively 'stranded' in America due to travel restrictions; this year's pairs having to form bubbles in order to take part and the biggest drama - the withdrawal of Nicola Adams and Katya Jones from the competition after pro Katya tested positive for coronavirus.

Add to that Motsi Mabuse having to go into isolation after an urgent trip abroad and being replaced by veteran pro Anton du Beke and the controversy surrounding Maisie Smith after she ended up in the dance-off two weeks in a row, and it's been a series to remember.

It's Nicola and Katya's withdrawal that has shaken things up a bit in terms of what Strictly bosses had planned for the final.

With this year's run being shorter, they had planned to have FIVE couples in the final for the first time ever but that has been scrapped now because of Nicola and Katya's exit, with just four battling it out for the Glitterball.

The Strictly 2020 final will take place right before Christmas on Saturday, December 19.

And that's not the only Strictly action fans will get to enjoy over the festive period as there will also be a Christmas special on December 25.

As things stand, the bookies have comedian Bill Bailey as the favourite to win Strictly after he's surprised everyone with his dancing over the last few months.

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