Strictly Come Dancing: the final – live | Strictly Come Dancing

Showdance o’clock now. Exciting. Theatrical choreographer Tommy Franzen has collaborated with JB Gill and Lauren Oakley on this Motown mash-up. Retro 1970s styling with orange and giant TV prop. Side-by-side sections and into an impressive splits by JB. A jazzy, funky grab-bag, full of groove, with nods to their street/commercial Couple’s Choice number from Icons Week. A bit of hustle and hip-hop. Nice partnering work. Lifts and tricks. Freedom of movement and serious swag. JB is really showcasing what he’s learnt here. Huge fun. A proper party dance but flagged a bit in patches for me.

Song: Motown medley. It includes a blast of Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, the 1967 hit for Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, later recorded by The Supremes. It was written by husband-and-wife team Ashford & Simpson, duet specialists who had a hit of their own 17 years later with Solid.

The public vote is announced and the usual prop-based pandemonium kicks off in the Clauditorium. Viewer votes alone will decide the winner, remember, so use yours wisely. That concludes this party non-political broadcast.

Up in the Clauditorium, our most successful female Olympian of all time is the last VIP guest of the series to read out the voting smallprint. A fittingly golden figure for the final. Sparkly frock too.

Their Judges’ Pick sees Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola reprising their week eight routine to the song that has soundtracked Sarah’s career since Miranda. Wind machine side-by-side section, then into a long lift. Foxtrot steps and softened knees for that smooth and floaty feel. Vito reintroduces his cartwheel lift. Anton wanted him to tuck his bottom in and point his toes last time, while Shirley said Sarah got tight in the upper body. They’ve been working on getting her breathing right, being more airy and nailing the details with no gapping. An upbeat, celebratory ballroom number with wow-factor lifts. Such fun.

Song: Proud by Heather Small. Since its 2000 release, the M People diva’s debut solo single has become a rousing motivational anthem, often used at the Olympics and London Marathon. It also became an in-joke from sitcom Miranda, of course. What have you done today? I’ve walked the dog and prepped for this liveblog. Do I feel proud? In a way, yes.

The Judges’ Pick is their Couple’s Choice from week eight. Dianne was ill with a stomach bug but soldiered through brilliantly. Now she can enjoy it more. All-white outfits. Starts off standing on a table and chair, then hops down onto the floor for a euphoric mix of jazz and musical theatre. Slight mistake with top hats, maybe? Joy and showmanship, really selling it hard. He’s improved his shapes and is giving it plenty of pizzazz. That blackout moment to represent his blindness and immerse us in his sightless world hasn’t lost any of its power, followed by a spinning lift and a euphoric finish. You’re a superstar, Chris, that’s what you are. It got 33 points last time. Higher, higher!

Song: Instant Karma (We All Shine On) by John Lennon. In 1970, this Phil Spector-produced track became the first solo single by a Beatle to sell a million copies in the US. It’s one of the fastest-released songs in pop history, arriving in record stores just 10 days after it was written. As Lennon said: “I wrote it for breakfast, recorded it for lunch and we’re putting it out for dinner.”

Their Judges’ Pick is their contempo-waft Couple’s Choice from Icons Week. Because P!nk totally counts as an icon, as does Bruno Mars. Ahem. The song means a lot to Tasha Ghouri as an empowerment anthem. Choreographed by Lukas McFarlane, who has worked with P!nk herself, it’s contemporary and lyrical in style. Barefoot and beautiful with lovely lifts and full of feeling. Exquisite elevation and extensions. Aljaž Škorjanec said it was his favourite story he’s ever told on Strictly. It scored 39 points last time, so there’s room for improvement *glares at Craig*. Tasha just needs to let herself go, feel the lyrics and show that extra layer of emotion. I think she has, although a few of the transitions looked a tiny bit lumpy to me.

Song: What About Us by P!nk. The 2017 electro-pop chart-topper has politically charged lyrics about Trump’s government failing the American people. Happy New Year, voters!

He gets a special pair of commemorative deeley boppers from Claudia.

First up is the Judges’ Pick. This one’s from Musicals Week, just a fortnight ago, but nobody will mind seeing this Mary Poppins-themed showstopper again. JB Gill and Lauren Oakley spin and twirl romantically around the floor in an immaculate routine, full of flair and fun. No extra backing dancers this time, so we can focus on their nostalgic characterisation and all the technical details. Swing, sway and flow. Bags of style. Practically perfect in every possible way. They scored 39 points last time, only a oivot and a sticky-up thumb away from perfection. Surely he’s fixed that and Craig will give JB the thumbs-up this time?

Song: Let’s Go Fly a Kite from Mary Poppins. The breezy song from the 1964 musical was written by the Sherman brothers, inspired by their father Al, who was a keen amateur kite-maker.