BUT CAN HE BEAT THESE CHA-CHA-CHALLENGERS?
MAISIE SMITH
SHE’S the youngest finalist ever at 19 and arrives on stage with the highest points, but despite being a dazzling dancer there’s something about the EastEnders actress which rubs the public up the wrong way.
Never less than cheery, there’s a whiff of stage school about her – not surprising as she was a child actress when she was cast as Bianca Jackson’s daughter Tiffany in 2008 and went to a performing arts school later where she received dance training.
Craig Revel Horwood has lauded her ‘fantastic musicality’ and ‘insane’ energy. In the semi-final last week, she scored 59 out of 60.
HRVY
TALL and diffident, there was an air of cannon-fodder about HRVY in the early weeks, but he has blossomed into nothing less than a longnecked ballroom prodigy.
Teamed with Janette Manrara (wife of Aljaz Skorjanec) he has been hailed as the GOAT by Craig Revel Horwood – or Greatest of All Time.
A YouTube star and pop performer, the 21-year-old has been weepy over messages from home and hasn’t shown more than a polite interest in Maisie Smith, despite rumours of a potential romance.
Mums fell in love with him when he danced dressed as a garden gnome, and everyone else went wild for his La La Land-themed charleston.
JAMIE LAING
BRIMMING with enthusiasm and with the hyperactive bounce of a brace of puppies, he has survived an unprecedented four danceoffs to make the final.
He was made famous by appearing in Made In Chelsea, and his great great grandfather invented the digestive biscuit.
Jamie, 2, started poorly, with a 14 for his week one cha cha, but has since had triumphs including a 29.
Former Strictly pro dancer Ian Waite reckons Jamie might just win. ‘Jamie has had the biggest journey – everybody loves the journey,’ he said.