This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/entertainment/8422140.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Stars battle for Strictly crown Stars battle for Strictly crown
(about 1 hour later)
Strictly Come Dancing finalists Chris Hollins and Ricky Whittle are battling it out to be king of the ballroom.Strictly Come Dancing finalists Chris Hollins and Ricky Whittle are battling it out to be king of the ballroom.
The show began with Hollyoaks actor Whittle and his partner Natalie Lowe gaining a full set of top marks from the five judges for their quickstep. The final began with Hollyoaks actor Whittle and his partner Natalie Lowe gaining a full set of top marks from the five judges for their quickstep.
Judge Darcey Bussell said they had "set the standard" for the grand final.Judge Darcey Bussell said they had "set the standard" for the grand final.
Bookmakers have made Whittle the favourite to win, with odds of 4/6, compared to BBC Sports presenter Hollins, on 11/10.Bookmakers have made Whittle the favourite to win, with odds of 4/6, compared to BBC Sports presenter Hollins, on 11/10.
Hollins and his dance partner Ola Jordan performed a foxtrot which scored them four nines and a 10.Hollins and his dance partner Ola Jordan performed a foxtrot which scored them four nines and a 10.
The results show is due to start at 2040 GMT. The results show is due to start at 2040 GMT. The winner will be decided by audience votes.
Through the series, Hollins has been more popular with the public than with the judges. The first show of the evening featured the return of the athlete Jade Johnson, who had to withdraw last month due to a ligament injury during dance training.
The Great Britain long jumper performed a tango with dance partner Ian Waite.
Other previous contestants also had a turn on the dance floor, with the exception of Phil Tufnell who has flu.
Bruce Forsyth teamed up with judge Alesha Dixon to perform a duet of the Frank Sinatra standard Something's Gotta Give.
'Different flavours''Different flavours'
Asked whether he deserved to win, the presenter said he was trying not to think of the show as a competition. The judges often remarked on Hollins's facial expressions during his dances
Through the series, Hollins has been more popular with the public than with the judges.
Asked before the final whether he deserved to win, the presenter said he was trying not to think of the show as a competition.
"I've seen it as us having lots of fun, trying to make sure I don't make myself look like a complete wally and put in a performance we both enjoy."I've seen it as us having lots of fun, trying to make sure I don't make myself look like a complete wally and put in a performance we both enjoy.
"Every dance we thought would be our last."Every dance we thought would be our last.
The judges often remarked on Hollins's facial expressions during his dances
"There is no doubting that Ricky is in a class of his own," he continued."There is no doubting that Ricky is in a class of his own," he continued.
"If you speak to any of the professionals they say he's probably the best male celebrity they've ever had - but it is a dance competition and it's also a TV programme.""If you speak to any of the professionals they say he's probably the best male celebrity they've ever had - but it is a dance competition and it's also a TV programme."
Ola Jordan, Hollins's dance partner added: "If people enjoy watching and voting for us we're doing something right - maybe it's not the perfect technique, but Chris has definitely been improving and putting in loads of hard work." Whittle and Lowe received a standing ovation for their Argentine Tango
Speaking in defence of his rival, Whittle said: "Me and Chris are bringing different flavours to the table.Speaking in defence of his rival, Whittle said: "Me and Chris are bringing different flavours to the table.
"I think it's quite insulting for Chris that people are saying that he can't dance - he wouldn't be here if he couldn't."I think it's quite insulting for Chris that people are saying that he can't dance - he wouldn't be here if he couldn't.
"Chris can dance, he can entertain, he's got great moves, he's got great personality and he's going to be a massive challenge."Chris can dance, he can entertain, he's got great moves, he's got great personality and he's going to be a massive challenge.
"If I don't bring my 'A' game and perform four great dances he's walking away with this," he said."If I don't bring my 'A' game and perform four great dances he's walking away with this," he said.
Whittle added that both finalists should be "very proud" of their achievements, considering they have both had to juggle full-time jobs while competing.Whittle added that both finalists should be "very proud" of their achievements, considering they have both had to juggle full-time jobs while competing.
Biggest fears
The actor has spent most of his time training in Liverpool with his dance partner, Natalie Lowe, due to his Hollyoaks filming commitments.The actor has spent most of his time training in Liverpool with his dance partner, Natalie Lowe, due to his Hollyoaks filming commitments.
He revealed that the pair would be performing two dances chosen by their fans in the final show - the quickstep and the cha cha cha.
Whittle and Lowe received a standing ovation for their Argentine Tango
"It's 100% public vote so there's not point doing a dance we enjoyed that the public didn't connect with," he explained.
He also said he hoped the "Superman pants" he had been wearing during training would continue being his good luck charm, quipping: "I hope there's no kryptonite out there on the night!"
Lowe, who appeared on five series of the show in her native Australia, added: "I've taken the title home in Australia and this is my new goal that I've set for myself: I want to go all they way."
Meanwhile Hollins said his biggest fears for the final were forgetting his dance steps and freezing on the live show.
"I just don't want to be humiliated," he said.
"I've got to concentrate on what I'm doing so that people say, 'yes, he deserved his place in the final'. That's all I care about.
"But I think on the night, with a bit of adrenaline pumping, we're just going to go for it."
The finale to the series will also see host Bruce Forsyth will team up with judge Alesha Dixon to perform a duet of the Frank Sinatra standard Something's Gotta Give.