The Final Is The Greatest Party Ever!

2016 Strictly champion Ore Oduba tells us what this year’s celebs can expect in the grand final…

- Emma Bullimore

ENTERTAINMENT

Strictly Come Dancing: The Final

SATURDAY / BBC1 / 6.30PM

With no previous dance experience, and up against Danny Mac, arguably the most technically proficient celebrity in Strictly history, the odds were stacked against Ore Oduba in last year’s final.

But one magical showdance changed everything, and it was Ore and his pro partner, Joanne Clifton, who lifted the glitterball trophy.

Their triumph gave presenter Ore’s career a terrific boost, but he’s still closely connected with the show, hosting the official Strictly podcast and signed up to present next year’s live tour.

Here, in an exclusive interview with TV Times, Ore, 32, tells us what the 2017 finalists are about to experience, and why he’ll always love the show…

The final is like Christmas coming early… Last year, the atmosphere was unlike anything we’d ever experienced; there’s a real anticipation and you’re in the middle of a national event – the country is watching! All of the cast come back, so it’ll be of no surprise to anyone that I shed a tear before the show had even started – the family was getting back together.