I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: the 5 couples who danced in this semi-final were all strong contenders. They all have different strengths in different areas.
Take Hamza and Fleur for example. One absolute personality-plus-firecracker of a dancer, and one calm, elegant and technical dancer.
Any combination of four out of these five couples could have made it and no one could really have a strong argument against any result.
It Just Shows How Special Strictly Is
Molly’s reaction to getting through to the Final was glorious. After all those Dance Offs, the scream that came out of her brought tears to my eyes. Similarly, as did Will and Nancy’s exit.
Even as a Professional dancer, having been through so many defeats in competitions all of her life, you could see how upset Nancy was. And this is because in Strictly everything is so heightened.
A new dance each week with completely different technique. You have 4 days to teach/learn the routine, add technique, add storytelling, get it to a strong performance level and work on the stamina to keep the energy up until the end.
You go on this wonderful journey with this new dance partner, who you’ve most likely never met before the show. You’re working hard day in and day out together. You go through the nerves and the joy of performing in front of millions. The tension of the results shows. The celebrities could easily freak out over it all and the pro is there for them at any time of the day. You’re a team.
We heard Nancy apologise to Will tonight. Not only do the celebs want to make us, the teachers, proud, but we want them to have one of the best experiences of their lives and get them as far as we possibly can in the competition. We are absolutely a team for these few months.
Strictly is such a special show to be a part of and an experience none of us, whether pro or celeb, will ever forget.
Both Will and Nancy should be so proud of themselves. I hope they celebrate just how good they have both been this last series.
So, I’m Going to Do Something A Bit Different
I thought I would note down what I personally think each of the remaining couples could focus on doing in the Final, to give them the best chance of lifting the Glitterball, bearing in mind that it’s now all down to the public.
Here goes…
FLEUR AND VITO
This girl should absolutely own her fire. If she has a fast dance, smash it out of the park with all her might. She has proven over and over again that she is well capable of controlling her energy (and if she has a slow dance then do that), but as Motsi mentioned at some point, we should celebrate a strong, passionate, confident woman, and she is exactly that.
Use your strength to the maximum.
HAMZA AND JOWITA
Pull out some kind of phenomenal lift again in the show dance. He is naturally technically brilliant. Add some “in your face” kind of energy to that technique, that we haven’t seen before. Use that body, that body rhythm, shake and move and squeeze like you want to create an earthquake!
If he has a slower dance, show off the sophistication, the ease of it, the absolute class of which he has buckets full. Give us Fred Astaire.
MOLLY AND CARLOS
Another strong, fiery young woman that we should celebrate. She needs to treat this Final how she did the semi-final. Her strengths are in the intense, passionate dances. The dances where she fights. She IS a survivor and despite all the Dance Offs she’s been in this series, she’s carried on, got back on her feet and used the Dance Offs to make her stronger. Use that feeling again girl! Just have the attitude of “I’ll show you!” Because IT WORKS.
She is also great at feeling the slower dances. Natural emotions come out of her in these and you can tell they love dancing together. Show that off! Show them what you and Carlos are made of together.
HELEN AND GORKA
I hate to use the “j” word but wow, this woman has been on a journey like no other. The comparison from the beginning to now is indescribable.
The confidence from musicals week needs to stay. The joy of Blackpool needs to stay. If she has a slower dance, the beautiful softness needs to stay.
Watch the dances back, reimagine the feelings you had with them, and bring it all back onto that floor.
One Last Word of Advice
ENJOY IT. Lap up every second. When else in your whole life are you going to be on that Strictly dance floor, with your partner, in front of millions of people, on the biggest and best show on TV???
The work has all been done in the training studio. Now go out there, without too much pressure on yourself and show us what you do.
The National Bingo Game clearly doesn’t care about omens because, despite it being Friday the 13th, they have just launched a new jackpot. To celebrate the launch, they’ve also released new research into the quirky habits and traditions of bingo fans across the country. A quick heads-up: Whether you’re wearing your lucky socks or sitting in your “magic” chair, remember that bingo is a game of pure chance. We love…
Charlie Shakespeare is on his travels again (he doesn’t sit still for a minute, does he!). This time, Charles is in the big smoke to uncover the magic of the famous venue: the Hippodrome Casino. Opened over 120 years ago, the Hippodrome has been everything from an arena with a 100,000-gallon water tank sunk into the floor to where escapologist Harry Houdini performed in 1904, and a Peter Stringfellow-run club. Now,…
UK romantics are officially ditching roses, chocolates, and teddy bears in favour of experiences and memories. According to recent survey data, a massive 70.9% of Brits now prefer a shared experience over a physical gift. But, the survey of over 500 UK residents also revealed that nearly 64% of people agree that spending money isn’t a valid measurement of love. From fancy dinners to high-energy bingo raves, the focus has…
Some nights are made for slippers and snacks. Others call for being ‘out out’ with your mates, singing along to 90s pop songs, holding an inflatable unicorn you just won in a twerk off. But on the most romantic night of the year are you in the cosy night in or the party night out camp? Here’s how your Valentine’s style shapes your bingo, casino or bingo party options. Meanwhile, In Other News:…
It’s time to decide the best slot games of 2026. The race for the WhichBingo Awards 2026 is officially on, and the Best Slot Game category is more competitive than ever. Now in its fourth year, this award is a true player favourite. The question is; will 2026’s best slot be a new release, a cult classic, or a franchise darling? Here are the nominees for Best Slot Game 2026…
Grab your dabbers bingo fans, the WhichBingo Awards 2026 are officially on the horizon. Now in our 13th year, the WhichBingo Awards are all about recognising the sites, games, venues, and people that players love. Winners are chosen through a mix of player votes, editorial insight, and expert opinion. From the bingo sites you keep coming back to, to the chat teams that make every session more fun, this is your chance to have your…
Your chances of walking away with real cash from a casino bonus are set to improve significantly. New UK regulations are putting an end to unfairly high wagering requirements. From 19th January all casino sites must adhere to a 10x maximum wagering cap on bonus offers, following a landmark ruling by the Gambling Commission. Editor’s Note: Though your ability to convert bonus into real cash is improving, gambling is still…
Kenny Rogers was right. “If you’re gonna play the game, you gotta learn to play it right”. It’s Safer Gambling Week so we’re taking you back to school to teach you how your brain tricks you when you gamble – and what you can do to play smarter (and safer). 3. The Gambler’s fallacy Perhaps one of the best known terms in gambling. The gambler’s fallacy is the mistaken belief…
It’s time to decide the best slot games of 2026. The race for the WhichBingo Awards 2026 is officially on, and the Best Slot Game category is more competitive than ever. Now in its fourth year, this award is a true player favourite. The question is; will 2026’s best slot be a new release, a cult classic, or a franchise darling? Here are the nominees for Best Slot Game 2026…
Grab your dabbers bingo fans, the WhichBingo Awards 2026 are officially on the horizon. Now in our 13th year, the WhichBingo Awards are all about recognising the sites, games, venues, and people that players love. Winners are chosen through a mix of player votes, editorial insight, and expert opinion. From the bingo sites you keep coming back to, to the chat teams that make every session more fun, this is your chance to have your…
Your chances of walking away with real cash from a casino bonus are set to improve significantly. New UK regulations are putting an end to unfairly high wagering requirements. From 19th January all casino sites must adhere to a 10x maximum wagering cap on bonus offers, following a landmark ruling by the Gambling Commission. Editor’s Note: Though your ability to convert bonus into real cash is improving, gambling is still…
Every December, game studios unwrap their festive releases. Cue games with Santa and jingling soundtracks. We’ve tested the newest and most popular Christmas slot games, checked the small print, and brought together the ones that genuinely stand out. In true WhichBingo style, here’s your honest guide to the best Christmas slot games 2025. What they do well, who they suit, and where to play them safely. The 6 Best Christmas Slot…
Your chances of walking away with real cash from a casino bonus are set to improve significantly. New UK regulations are putting an end to unfairly high wagering requirements. From 19th January all casino sites must adhere to a 10x maximum wagering cap on bonus offers, following a landmark ruling by the Gambling Commission. Editor’s Note: Though your ability to convert bonus into real cash is improving, gambling is still…
Kenny Rogers was right. “If you’re gonna play the game, you gotta learn to play it right”. It’s Safer Gambling Week so we’re taking you back to school to teach you how your brain tricks you when you gamble – and what you can do to play smarter (and safer). 3. The Gambler’s fallacy Perhaps one of the best known terms in gambling. The gambler’s fallacy is the mistaken belief…
Anyone accessing gambling sites or visiting gambling venues this week will see traditional marketing taken down in favour of Safer Gambling posters, but does anyone actually notice – and more importantly does anyone actually care? conversations we are often reluctant to have From every angle I believe strongly that Safer Gambling Week is a vitally important campaign designed to raise awareness of safer gambling and to open up conversations that…
It may be Halloween but we’re officially saying goodbye to some financial frights in the world of gambling. A significant set of new measures are set to boost the clarity, and ease of use for gambling deposit limits. And there is proven evidence that changes like this will help. The core goal of these improvements is to increase consumer empowerment. Here is what these changes mean for your experience, starting…
The honeymoon phase with dating apps is officially over. As Valentine’s Day approaches, Brits admit they still think the day is relevant, but are ready to leave apps behind. A study of more than 500 Brits shows that 82% of single people would now prefer to meet a potential partner “naturally at a social event” rather than through a screen. This desire for organic connection comes as app fatigue sets…
If you think the WhichBingo Awards are all subdued applause and canapés, think again! In 2025, we welcomed 180 industry guests and spent 48 hours transforming the venue, followed by a full day of tech rehearsals. Behind the scenes our annual event has built up a fair bit of history, along with a few moments that still get talked about long after the trophies are handed out. From floating venues to a…
UK romantics are officially ditching roses, chocolates, and teddy bears in favour of experiences and memories. According to recent survey data, a massive 70.9% of Brits now prefer a shared experience over a physical gift. But, the survey of over 500 UK residents also revealed that nearly 64% of people agree that spending money isn’t a valid measurement of love. From fancy dinners to high-energy bingo raves, the focus has…
Some nights are made for slippers and snacks. Others call for being ‘out out’ with your mates, singing along to 90s pop songs, holding an inflatable unicorn you just won in a twerk off. But on the most romantic night of the year are you in the cosy night in or the party night out camp? Here’s how your Valentine’s style shapes your bingo, casino or bingo party options. Meanwhile, In Other News:…
by
Esther Rubin
5min
Updated April 24, 2025
Reader comments
Thank you for sharing!
Your comment is awaiting moderation and will be posted soon. Thank you for taking part in our discussion and helping fellow players!
Exclusive news, offers, and competitions. Don't miss out!
4min 
Reader comments