Who Made It to the 2025 ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ Final?

The glitterball dream has come to a crashing halt — and fans are furious.

With just three couples left to battle it out for the crown on this year's "Strictly Come Dancing," Sunday's results show delivered a gut-punch to loyal viewers: fan-favorite Balvinder Sopal was sent home.

On Sunday, 14 December, the "EastEnders" star and her partner Julian Caillon landed in the bottom two for a shocking sixth time, facing off against reality star Amber Davies and pro dancer Nikita Kuzmin.

Despite a fierce dance-off performance, the judges chose to eliminate Sopal — and the backlash was swift and scathing.

Loyal fans took to social media in droves to air their dismay.

One commenter wrote, "Very sad to see Balvinder go, she deserved to be in the final. I think she is a beautiful dancer, so graceful. She was often under marked and put through the dance offs, very unfair. Always the wrong people voted out, like Vicky Patterson and Lewis last week."

Another blasted the decision as unbalanced, "Amateur against professional 😡😡 Balvinder had no chance, yet she improved 1000% more than Amber over the competition."

A third chimed in with, "Balvinder is a brilliant dancer and it wasn't a level playing field. Such a pleasure watching her beautiful routines."

And the most stinging reaction of all? "Nikita made a clear mistake in that dance off! Have the judges got the same clip as us? Based on that dance off alone Balvinder should have gone through!" a fan fumed.

Just two days before their final performance, Sopal and Caillon looked back on their very first routine — a Samba — which, fittingly, was also one of their final dances.

Reflecting on her early nerves, Sopal admitted, "Listen, I'm so weak on those legs. Like, I have no conviction whatsoever. I can see it. It's all really shy and small."

But fans and judges alike saw a transformation over the weeks, as Sopal began to truly shine.

"Thing is, when you become aware of it, you've got to change it, right?" she said. "There were articles written after this. People were like, 'She's gone in the next week. She's gone. She's gone.' And we got through it."

In the end, she held her head high, adding, "I'm proud of us. I'm proud of the fact that Jullian has persevered with me."

Sopal and Caillon's departure clears the way for the final three couples: Davies and Kuzmin, George Clarke and Alexis Warr, and Karen Carney with Carlos Gu, all set to battle it out for the glittering trophy.

But for many viewers, the finale has already lost some of its sparkle. Sopal and Caillon's exit marks the second consecutive week a fan-favorite has bowed out of the competition.

As we previously reported, the quarter-final dealt a blow no one saw coming — and one that left "Strictly Come Dancing" fans across the country reeling in disbelief.

On Saturday night, 6 December, the ballroom lights shone brightly as five remaining couples gave it their all in hopes of clinching a coveted spot in the semi-final. But Lewis Cope and Katya Jones, once considered front-runners, were sent home in a result viewers branded an "absolute travesty."

Despite the crushing blow, Cope, the "Emmerdale" star, remained gracious in defeat, emotionally reflecting on his journey. "It's been like, you know, more than I could have ever wished for," he began, admitting he never thought he'd last 11 weeks on the show:

"If someone had've said that I'd have done 11 weeks on the show at the beginning, I'd have been over the moon and I'd have snapped their hand off."

Cope praised "Strictly" for creating a space where contestants could be free, grow, and learn, calling his experience on the competition "a memory that I'll have for the rest of my life."

Turning to Jones, his voice wavered with emotion:

"And I think it's all down to you. You've literally give me absolutely everything I could have wished for. I couldn't imagine it with anybody else. So, thank you very much."

When host Tess Daly turned to Jones for her final thoughts, the pro dancer didn't hold back:

"You have created so many moments for 'Strictly Come Dancing' that will be in history books. [...] You will be remembered, not just as one, if not the best male celebrity we have ever had on the show, but also [...] for an incredible person you are."

Fighting back tears, Jones praised Cope's humility, saying she was glad the world got to see his talent what a "beautiful person" he is.

While Cope and Jones took their exit with poise, outraged fans took to social media to express their devastation.

"I've been a Strictly fan since day 1 and honestly think this is the biggest shock/worst result I've ever seen 😢," one user wrote. "When I read the results this morning I've been in total shock ALL DAY 😰😰😰," another echoed.

A third was even more blunt, writing, "Utterly shocked and so dismayed with the whole series now. He was the best dancer!! How could he be in the dance off? How on earth did that happen!! Lost interest now!"

Another fan went further, questioning the entire voting structure, "I hate to say it but the public needs to have less of a say in the voting. Lewis was the best dancer the show has had in years. [...] An utterly disgraceful result."

Saturday's performance saw Cope and Jones tie with two other couples — George and Alexis, and Balvinder and Julian — all earning a score of 35. But their final routine failed to secure a unanimous nod from the judges.

Shirley Ballas remarked, "It wasn't your best dance, for me, by far," while Craig Revel Horwood agreed, adding, "We have seen you dance better."

In contrast, Anton Du Beke was more generous, telling Cope he had "incredible physicality," and adding, "All in all... I rather liked it."

Still, it wasn't enough to keep them safe. Cope and Jones landed in the bottom two, forced to face off against Amber and Nikita in the dance off — where the judges chose to save the latter.

Following their performance, Cope was faintly heard apologising to Jones, a moment that left many viewers heartbroken.

"Katya crying broke me. Love her to bits. What a travesty to be facing a final without your best couple who have brought some of the most memorable routines and moments to this series. The show just lost its sparkle," one fan lamented.

Following the show, Cope's girlfriend Rachel Lopez left a heartfelt comment under a performance clip:

"I am so beyond proud of you. Your strength is like nothing I have ever see. So beautiful inside and out. [sic]"

With just a few couples remaining, fans are now rallying behind former English footballer Karen Carney as their next best hope for the glitterball trophy — a spot once many believed would be Cope and Jones's.