Full Breakdown
Strictly Come Dancing 2025: Semi-Final Results and Finalists Revealed
12/15/2025, 6:47:10 AM
Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon Eliminated
The semi-final of *Strictly Come Dancing 2025* concluded with the elimination of EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal and her dance partner Julian Caillon. This marked the tenth couple to exit the competition, following a tense dance-off against reality TV star Amber Davies and her partner Nikita Kuzmin. Sopal and Caillon, who faced the dance-off for a record sixth time in the series, performed their Salsa to Gloria Estefan's "Rhythm Is Gonna Get You/Get On Your Feet" once more, while Davies and Kuzmin reprised their Couple's Choice routine to RAYE's "Fly Me to the Moon." The judges unanimously voted to save Davies and Kuzmin, leading to Sopal's departure.
The Finalists
With Sopal and Caillon's exit, the finalists for this year's competition have been confirmed as:
- Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin
- George Clarke and Alexis Warr
- Karen Carney and Carlos Gu
Carney, a former England Lionesses footballer, topped the leaderboard during the semi-final with a score of 78, making her the first footballer to reach the final in the show's history.
Emotional Farewell
In her farewell, Sopal expressed her gratitude for the experience, stating, “I’ve absolutely adored every single minute... just being in this building and dancing on this floor with such an amazing human being.” She praised Caillon for his unwavering support throughout their journey, saying, “You’ve just held me in your hands and gone, ‘Bal, we’ve got this.’ I’ve never felt alone on this floor.” Caillon reciprocated the sentiment, highlighting Sopal's spirit and resilience, stating, “It took six dance-offs and a perfect score to take this lady out, and I’m so proud of her.”
Official Statements & Responses
Following the results, Sopal reflected on her time in the competition, calling it her "Yes Year" and acknowledging the challenges she faced. She also paid tribute to the show's hosts, Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who are set to depart after this year's Christmas Special. The results show featured a surprise tribute to the duo, including a highlights reel of their time on the show and the presentation of unique golden Glitterball Trophies.
Criticism & Opposition
The elimination of Sopal sparked disappointment among fans, with many expressing their belief that the decision was unjust. Viewers took to social media to voice their frustrations, with some claiming the results were "rigged" to favor Davies, who has faced significant online criticism throughout the competition. Despite the backlash, supporters of Davies defended her talent and resilience in the face of adversity.
What's Next
The *Strictly Come Dancing 2025 Grand Final* is scheduled to air on Saturday, December 20, at 7 PM GMT on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. The finalists will perform multiple routines in a bid to win the coveted Glitterball Trophy, with the winner determined solely by public vote.
