The closing of Strictly Come Dancing 2023 is tonight, with followers eagerly ready to see who will raise the Glitterball trophy.
The sequence, hosted by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, will come to an finish on Saturday after 13 weeks.
This years sequence had its fair proportion of dramatic moments, together with Amanda Abbington and Nigel Harman quitting the present.
Meanwhile, a brand new romance between Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola blossomed by means of out the competitors
So, as Strictly followers depend right down to the grand closing, here’s a look-back at among the most dramatic moments of the sequence to date…
The closing of Strictly Come Dancing 2023 is tonight, with followers eagerly ready to see who will raise the Glitterball trophy
Amanda Abbington stop the present
Amanda pulled out of Strictly in October, citing private causes, and it’s now reported that she is not going to attend the finale.
On Strictly, Amanda was partnered with pro-dancer Giovanni Pernice, and her choice has dashed hopes of a reunion and one closing dance.
Amanda’s week 5 exit was confirmed in an episode of It Takes Two.
The present launched a press release, saying: ‘Amanda Abbington is unable to proceed in Strictly Come Dancing and has determined to withdraw from the competitors.
‘The present needs her all the very best for the longer term.’
A montage of Amanda’s greatest moments on the sequence was proven, earlier than host Fleur East added: ‘Amanda we’re sending you all of our love’.
A Strictly insider advised Mail Online: ‘This has been something that Amanda has been unfortunately having to consider making since late last week.
‘It has been a devastating time for Amanda. Her Strictly journey has been plagued by difficulties but she just didn’t assume there was every other possibility. As laborious because it has been, there was an opportunity they may have received.’
No return: Actress Amanda Abbington, who dramatically stop Strictly Come Dancing final month, is reportedly skipping the finale and will not be returning
Giovanni later took to his Instagram to interrupt his silence, sharing a backstage photograph of himself with Amanda throughout Movie Week.
Captioning the snap, he wrote: ‘Amanda ..I’m so unhappy we will’t proceed however I’m happy with what we achieved and I’m sending you a lot love’.
Heated rows between the pair have been regarded as the explanation for Amanda’s surprising departure, which led to lot of unanswered questions.
A supply advised The Mirror it has been ‘troublesome’ and upsetting for Giovanni as he would not need folks to see it ‘as a mirrored image on him.’
The supply admitted that the pair typically ‘clashed’ however insisted that Giovanni needs Amanda all the very best.
BBC bosses have been stated to be eager for her to reunite with Giovanni to show that there was ‘no unhealthy blood’.
The supply added: ‘They wished to place her as nonetheless very a lot a part of the Strictly household, however Amanda’s response to the invitation was she’d not be again. It’s a disgrace, as a result of her exit has been a bitter observe to the sequence this yr.’
Les Dennis and Nancy Xu ‘clashed behind the scenes’ earlier than shock elimination
Les and Nancy clashed behind the scenes of Strictly Come Dancing which led to their poor first efficiency.
The comic, 69, and his skilled dance companion, 32, turned the primary pair eradicated from the present once they did not survive the dance off.
According to The Sun, Les and Nancy struggled to attach as a result of the funnyman’s power ranges did not match that of Nancy’s.
A supply stated: ‘Les the entertainer might have charmed audiences together with his type, however behind the scenes it was a vastly completely different story.
‘Les was usually moody and erratic as a result of he discovered the coaching a really draining course of. He’s nearly 70 so was knackered simply two weeks in and this led to clashes with Nancy.
‘His temper did not match Nancy’s enthusiasm and positivity which created rigidity and discord within the studio.’
The insider added that Les would usually lose his cool on the slightest mistake whereas Nancy was affected person and inspiring.
The supply additional described them as ‘polar opposites’ and stated they struggled to ‘gel’ which confirmed of their efficiency.
When they discovered themselves within the backside two, Nancy admitted they’d been by means of a whole lot of ‘challenges’ on the present.
She stated: ‘It’s been a journey. This is such a brief however a candy journey. Lots of challenges everyone knows, however to see you (to Les) daily enhance your self. I respect you so, a lot.’
Dennis and Nancy Xu clashed behind the scenes of Strictly Come Dancing which led to their elimination
Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola’s romance
Earlier this month, it was claimed Ellie and Vito been seeing one another for over a month.
The pair have been below the highlight after being accused of faking their romance with the intention to assist win votes, however a supply near Ellie revealed they’ve been collectively for a couple of weeks.
Things between the display screen actress and the dancer are ‘real’ – a supply advised the Mirror.
Vito reportedly has visited Ellie’s residence a number of instances exterior of coaching whereas she has confided in mates about her new relationship with him.
‘Initially, they have been pleasant however because the weeks went on, their relationship modified. Ellie has made it clear to mates how joyful she is with Vito,’ stated the good friend.
‘She’s not the sort of individual to faux one thing like that for votes. Putting on a showmance is not her type – what you see together with her is what you get. When Ellie began Strictly, she was self-conscious and not sure. Now she’s radiating confidence, which is beautiful.’
A second supply detailed how the duo’s rising closeness has change into apparent not solely backstage but additionally whereas selling the present collectively.
They stated: ‘Ellie and Vito have change into so shut that they are usually seen throughout one another, and the chemistry is putting. The hearsay they’re greater than mates is not overtly mentioned, but it surely’s broadly understood.’
Earlier this month, it was claimed Ellie and Vito been seeing one another for over a month
The pair have been below the highlight after being accused of faking their romance with the intention to assist win votes, however a supply near Ellie revealed they’ve been collectively for a couple of weeks
Layton Williams was compelled to hit again at trolls
Layton has usually focused by trolls for for his West End background and a few declare that the celeb is a ‘skilled dancer’ and that he has an ‘unfair’ benefit.
Layton just lately took to X, previously often called Twitter, urging harsh critics to ‘use their power to bathe with love’, slightly than writing hurtful feedback.
Layton has acquired heaps of reward for his unbelievable dances on the present however has additionally been torn down with hate.
Battling the trolls, Layton shared some sassy pictures wearing costume, which noticed him carry out the Salsa with Nikita.
Alongside the pictures, he wrote: ‘Instead of coming at me with hateful feedback, use your power to bathe your fave celeb with love as an alternative. Pretty certain it should make us all really feel significantly better!’
Layton has stated beforehand that he seeks assist from psychological well being professionals and presently has entry to a counsellor on Strictly.
Layton has usually focused by trolls for for his West End background and a few declare that the celeb is a ‘skilled dancer’ and that he has an ‘unfair’ benefit
Nigel Harman ‘storming off’ Blackpool dancefloor
Nigel was filmed storming off the dancefloor after receiving a disappointing rating for his efficiency in Blackpool.
The former EastEnders actor, 50, and his skilled dance companion Katya’s routine to Duke Ellington’s It Don’t Mean A Thing left them second from backside of the judges’ leaderboard, with a rating of 31 factors out of 40.
In a video shared to social media, Nigel is seen swiftly exiting the dancefloor, simply seconds after the BBC cameras stopped capturing.
Katya appeared confused and briefly stood nonetheless earlier than following, whereas different contestants fortunately danced and hugged.
The viewers member who shared the video to Twitter additionally wrote: ‘Are #Strictly judges happy with themselves? Nigel’s been damaged tonight, could not even face the preserve dancing as soon as theme & cameras stopped.
‘Taken away somebody’s love of dance & confidence shouldn’t be what present is about.’
Furious: In a video shared to social media, Nigel is seen swiftly exiting the dancefloor, simply seconds after the BBC cameras stopped capturing
The viewers member who shared the video to Twitter additionally wrote: ‘Are #Strictly judges happy with themselves? Nigel’s been damaged tonight, could not even face the preserve dancing as soon as theme & cameras stopped.
Nigel was compelled to drag out of the competitors
Nigel who had been collaborating within the competitors alongside skilled companion Katya Jones , 34, was compelled to drag out after attempting to carry out a stunt in rehearsals, which left him with a rib harm.
Following his exit it was reported how the star would usually have ‘temper swings’ inflicting unhealthy emotions amongst the employees backstage
A supply advised The Sun how the actor ‘takes himself very significantly’ as a performer and throws himself into his routines totally.
Going on to say: ‘So clearly he is very emotional if issues do not go as he hoped. That usually implies that he may be like a bear with a sore head backstage.
‘Viewers bought a glimpse of that when he acquired disappointing scores for his or her quickstep in Blackpool’.
The actor, 50, who had been collaborating within the competitors alongside skilled companion Katya Jones , 34, was compelled to drag out after attempting to carry out a stunt in rehearsals, which left him with a rib harm
Before including: ‘The crew and execs on the present are like an in depth household and the celebrities are welcomed into that.
‘But if somebody upsets that long-standing dynamic it might probably create unhealthy feeling’.
In response to the claims, a BBC supply hit again by saying: ‘It is at all times unhappy when a contestant leaves the present, significantly when an harm is sustained.
‘Nigel might be effectively missed by those that have labored alongside him on the present and everybody needs him the easiest and appears ahead to seeing him on the closing on Saturday sixteenth December.’