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1. Learning to let go

Despite the challenge of being in the bottom two in the quarter-finals and semi-finals, Tasha has focused on the positives. “I don't see it as a negative experience. I think if anything it actually adds to my experience in a positive way,” says Tasha. “And I said, ‘You know what? Being in the bottom two, I was happy to do the Argentine Tango and the Waltz again.’ What an absolute honour to have to do that again.”

Tasha has embraced her identity as a “ballroom girly” and was determined to not let being in the dance-off ruin her enjoyment of performing one of her favourite dances, the waltz. “I remember the second time we did [the waltz], I just let go. There's a point where I literally closed my eyes and I just let Aljaž lead me through.”

2. A future Traitor?

When asked about what they like to do when they’re not dancing and what they may be watching over the Christmas period, Aljaž’s answer is immediate: “Easy for me. January 1st is new season of Traitors.” His love for the show is huge, and he plans to watch the upcoming series “forwards and backwards and sideways.” Tasha believes Aljaž has the potential to be a traitor on the show, surprising him: “I feel like you'd be a really good traitor. You'd be so good.”

3. Switching dance partners

“Our first routine together was a couple's choice, which made for a lovely transition,” explains Lauren. She took over from Amy Dowden as JB's partner during Icons Week, after Amy fell ill backstage before the results show in week six. Having seen Lauren dance before, JB had no doubts she would be fantastic but knew it would be a different experience. They agree that learning the couple’s choice together was the best thing for their new dance partnership. “It was somebody else's choreography. We both went in on a Monday, we were both learning, and then it was up to us for the rest of the week to rehearse what we'd learned and just kind of build that rapport,” says Lauren.

4. His biggest supporters

JB’s children Ace and Chiara are thrilled to see their dad perform each week, but being regular attendees at his JLS shows has left them disappointed about missing the Strictly live shows. “They're so used to coming to all my shows. They came to the dress run and they loved it and then poor Chiara burst out into tears, she is like, ‘Why am I going home, why can’t I go to the dressing room?’”, says JB. His kids are such big supporters of his that they’ve even taken on the role of two extra judges. "They've been watching every single week, screaming. They wrote ‘110’ on the paddle and they're just fully invested.”

JB's wife, Chloe, is another dedicated supporter who has attended every London show. “She's a huge supporter of mine. Always has been, always will be”, reflects JB. Lauren values the support Chloe gives during the results show. “We're both standing there really nervous, waiting for the light to go white or red and I always look over at Chloe and she just gives this confident nod, and it helps me so much.”

Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell

5. From muscle memory to performance mode

Reflecting on his journey to the final, Chris becomes emotional. “I was worried it was going to be a disaster. The fear at the beginning in episode one was just the most scary thing I've ever done in my life.” While many people learn best through visual means, Chris has had to rely on his strong musicality skills and the step-by-step placement of his feet until the movements become muscle memory. “It comes down to, literally, I get on my hands and knees, he puts his hand on my head for balance. So, he's pressing down on my head whilst I'm moving his feet. Then it'll be also, Chris gets down on his hands and knees, feels what my feet are doing”, explains Dianne.

The entire experience has been a joy for Chris, who embarked on this journey with something to prove. “I feel like what I wanted to achieve on this show, I've done it. I feel like I wanted to surprise people, I wanted to kind of change people’s expectations of what was possible. I think I’ve done it. I've done it more than I ever thought I could do it.”

6. A close call…

To the casual viewer, Chris and Dianne may have seemed to be having an ordinary night during their couple’s choice in week eight. However, Dianne was unwell. “She didn't sleep the night before. She was vomiting all day. She hadn't eaten in a day.” The dance included a mid-air spin for Dianne, which could have ended disastrously, especially since they were both wearing white. Chris jokes, “She was blowing off from both ends. It could have been a sprinkler system.” Dianne is hopeful that this time she will be able to perform the dance without having to constantly think, “Don’t be sick, don’t be sick.” Chris also appreciates the message of the song "Instant Karma! (We All Shine On)," saying, “There are some nice things in that song, and I like the message, so it's nice to do that again.”

7. Rediscovering her self-belief

“It’s so empowering what you’re doing,” Natalie says to Sarah. For older women, seeing Sarah has become a source of empowerment that has got people talking. Sarah reflects: “You're a parent. You're fixated with somebody else. Fixated [with] what they're doing, their well-being. The fascinating thing is you're encouraging constantly other people to do well… and then actually you've slightly shut the door on your own self-belief.”

Sarah is pleased to be helping change perceptions about older women and their ability to dance. But for her, Shirley Ballas is “an icon for women." Discussing her admiration for Head Judge Shirley, Sarah emphasises, "She looks incredible. She's very confident. I love the fact that she's not afraid of being confident and opinionated, because I feel like sometimes women, we just have to be nice, period. That's your remit. Be nice, be likable and I think she's like: ‘This is who I am.’”

8. A tea convert

Vito may have shared his dancing skills with Sarah, but she introduced him to her love of tea. As an Italian, he only drank espressos, but thanks to Sarah, he now knows how to make her a perfect cup of tea. "The tea bag has to sit for five minutes. I move it gently, forward and backward. Then I add a bit of milk first, but not too much – just to set the first base. Sorry. I dip. But a little splash to arrive at the right colour, consistency. In the meantime, you keep moving the bag and after you squeeze the bag, you know, until the last drop,” Vito details carefully. Sarah is also very particular about her tea bags. She once heard a rumour that her favourite tea bags might be discontinued, so she drove to the shops, “like Lewis Hamilton. Screeched into the car park, left the engine running, ran in, shovelling tea bag boxes.”