Strictly's biggest stories ahead of 2024 final as Chris McCausland tipped to win

It's Strictly Come Dancing 2024's grand final week and we're about to find out who will lift the Glitterball Trophy after months of hard work.

JB Gill and Lauren Oakley, Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell, Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec, and Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola are all preparing three routines for the spectacular final show that will see the next winner crowned.

McCausland and Ghouri have both spoken this week about how proud they are to be part of such a diverse group of finalists, while Hadland says she's found new confidence in herself and Gill has shared how having two different partners has been an advantage.

As the 2024 series draws to a close, these are Strictly's biggest stories ahead of the final.

Read more:

• 'Strictly Come Dancing's 2024 winner is a foregone conclusion'

• Strictly's JB Gill reveals unexpected partner advantage that led him to final

• Strictly finalist Sarah Hadland shares doubts as she put 'limits on herself'

🥇 Chris McCausland's daughter is shocked he could win

Comedian Chris McCausland has spoken of his shock at being a Strictly finalist, and admitted his daughter was no less surprised.

He said of when he joined the BBC show: "She was so nervous for me, in case I fell over, in case it was embarrassing, in case I embarrassed myself."

But now, daughter Sophie has changed her mind, as McCausland said: "When we got to the semi-finals, she said, ‘Daddy, do you know when I said it doesn’t matter (if you go out)? I’ve changed my mind … I think you can win this thing.’"

Read more at The Telegraph: Strictly’s first blind contestant: My daughter could barely watch ... now she thinks I might win

💃 Tasha Ghouri on 'special year' of diversity

Tasha Ghouri and Chris McCausland have both spoken about how proud they are to represent disability and diversity in this year's cast, and Ghouri said she had loved receiving messages from fans who had followed her lead in decorating their cochlear implants.

She said: "I feel like it’s just been such a special year to be part of and representation is so important to have and I feel so passionate about it.

“Honestly, it’s been an absolute dream, and I feel so thankful to have the opportunity to be able to do that and to help people find their confidence and to believe in themselves.”

Read more at PA Media: Tasha Ghouri: Representing deaf community on Strictly has been ‘absolute dream’

🥳 JB Gill shares Amy Dowden's reaction to him making the final

JLS singer JB Gill has had a more unusual journey to the final than his co-stars after swapping partners mid-series from Amy Dowden to Lauren Oakley when Dowden had to drop out with an injury.

He said of Dowden's reaction to him making the final: "She’s over the moon that we’re in the final," and added: "Of course, it’s very unorthodox. It’s not something I think that’s ever happened on Strictly Come Dancing before.

"But she’s very much a part of the partnership and she’s just as, or has been just as valuable, to me, as Lauren has."

Read more at The Independent: JB Gill reveals how Amy Dowden reacted to him reaching Strictly final without her

❤️ Sarah Hadland is putting herself first in Strictly

Miranda star Sarah Hadland has admitted she still can't believe she's in the Strictly final — in part, because she had stopped believing in herself.

The actor said: "I have actually put limits on myself. (Limits) I’ve decided. And I don’t know if this is quite a common thing, when you’re a parent, or you’ve got other things going on in your life.

"I think sometimes you put all your energy into other things, and then, I think maybe what happens is you start to sort of think, you put all your belief maybe in other people, and you don’t do it for yourself."

Read more at PA Media: Strictly has made me realise I put limits on myself, says Sarah Hadland

🏆 Who's the favourite to win?

It's been a strong year in the Strictly ballroom and viewers have warmed to many of the couples, but as far as the bookies are concerned there is one clear winner going into Saturday's live final.

Chris McCausland is the overwhelming favourite to win, with fans impressed that the show's first blind contestant has performed consistently well over the series despite not being able to watch partner Dianne Buswell show him what to do in rehearsals.

According to BetMGM, the current odds to win the 2024 series are:

• Chris McCausland - 1/18

• JB Gill - 10/1

• Sarah Hadland - 20/1

• Tasha Ghouri - 25/1

UK director at BetMGM Sam Behar said: "He may have got the fewest points from the judges in the semi-finals but the betting suggests Chris McCausland is virtually nailed on to win this year's Strictly Come Dancing."

Strictly Come Dancing's final airs on BBC One at 6pm on Saturday.