When is the Strictly final 2022 and who is favourite to win?

It's that time of year again - and no we're not talking about Christmas! Buckle up for the Strictly final that takes place in just a matter of days.

The BBC One reality series has kept fans glued to their screens ever since its 20th season premiered on September 23, after its original release date of September 17 was unexpectedly postponed because of the Queen’s death and funeral. 

Viewers have been tuning in Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays for the past few weeks to watch their favourite celebrities' performances and to enjoy the banter of the glitzy show’s iconic judges, as well as to find out which unlucky Strictly Come Dancing contestant has left the competition. There’s also been plenty of excitement over the new Strictly Dancing 2022 pros, with producers adding four fresh faces to its already stellar lineup of expert dancers.

When is the Strictly final 2022?

The Strictly Come Dancing final starts at 7:05pm on Saturday 17 December, airing on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. The final will run for 2 and a half hours ending at 9:35pm.

During the final, audiences can expect to see the four remaining couples perform two dances and their anticipated show dance too. Whilst judges will score the routines, it is solely up to public voting as to who will win Strictly Come Dancing 2022. Last year, Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice were crowned the winners of its 19th season.

Who are the favourites to win Strictly Come Dancing 2022?

• Hamza Yassin - 4/9
• Helen Skelton - 9/5
• Molly Rainford - 25/1
• Fleur East - 50/1

Hamza Yassin has been touted as the one to beat by betting company Paddy Power. The wildlife presenter has regularly topped the leaderboard with a number of his ballroom and latin routines.

Who has already left Strictly Come Dancing 2022?

• Will Mellor (Eliminated in Semi-finals/Week 12)
• Kym Marsh (Eliminated in Quarter-finals/Week 11)
• Ellie Taylor (Eliminated in Week 10)
• Tyler West (Eliminated in Week 9)
• Tony Adams (Withdrew in Week 8)
• Ellie Simmonds (Eliminated in Week 7)
• James Bye (Eliminated in Week 6)
• Jayde Adams (Eliminated in Week 5)
• Matt Goss (Eliminated in Week 4)
• Richie Anderson (Eliminated in Week 3)
• Kaye Adams (Eliminated in Week 2)

Actor Will Mellor just missed out on a place in the final after losing in the dance off to singer Fleur East. After performing his Couple's choice for a second time, judges Craig Revel-Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas chose to save Fleur over Will.

Departing the show, Will said: 'I'lll take whatever I have learnt from this show forward in whatever I do because it shows you can achieve more than you think.

"I didn’t think I’d be able to get anywhere near this and I am so proud of what we have achieved but also everybody who has voted for me, who has supported me, the messages I’ve had from my local community and children. Thank you all so much, we really, really appreciated every bit."

Where will the Strictly Come Dancing final be filmed? 

If previous seasons are anything to go by, the Strictly Come Dancing 2022 final will be filmed at it's usual studio location in London. Strictly has been filmed at the Elstree Studios in London since 2012, after previously being recorded at the BBC Television Studios. 

The majority of the series is filmed at Elstree with the exception of Blackpool week - which sees the cast and production head to the iconic Blackpool ballroom tower for a weekend special. 

As is tradition for the series, its beloved judges and celebrities will also be heading to Birmingham in January to kick of its nationwide Strictly Come Dancing 2023 tour of live arena shows.

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