Strictly Come Dancing fans have chosen the ‘real winner’ of this year’s series.

Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell are the bookies’ favourite to win this year’s series (Image: BBC)

After 13 weeks of intense competition on the ballroom floor, Strictly Come Dancing will draw to a close tonight and the winner will be crowned.

The grand finale on Saturday will see comedian Chris McCausland, JLS star JB Gill, Miranda actress Sarah Hadland and Love Island star Tasha Ghouri battle it over three more routines each in a bid to lift the iconic glitterball trophy.

Chris McCausland, who is the BBC show’s first blind contestant, is the bookies’ favourite to win this year’s series, which marks the show’s 20th anniversary.

The 47-year-old and his partner Dianne Buswell admitted they hadn’t expected to reach the final, hailing it “the biggest surprise” and “above and beyond” what they expected to achieve on the show.

But despite being the favourite to lift the glitterball, some Strictly fans have taken to social media, saying McCausland “must not win” as they choose the “real winner”.

Fans have taken to X (formerly Twitter) to complain that the comedian mustn’t win, claiming he isn’t the best dancer in the show and as Strictly is a dance competition, Tasha Ghouri or JB Gill should be crowned the winner.

@strictlyspoiler said: “It’s #Strictly final day & no #StrictlySpoiler other than to say that CHRIS is nailed on to win with the bookies. Is he the best? Well no frankly, but #strictlycomedancing has not been a dance show for years if it was then Tasha would win it. Enjoy the show & see you in 2025.”

@ryanthesoapking said: “Want Sarah or JB to win but it’ll be Chris & Dianne. I don’t mind that though as they’re a wonderful partnership and Chris has improved so much since Week 1. #Strictly #StrictlyComeDancing”

@chewstamania7 said: “What’s the point of those four attention seekers with paddles if their scores don’t affect the public vote? In the real world Chris can never win this, so if the public aren’t voting the ‘better dancers’, it’s a farce and should be scrapped. #StrictlyComeDancing”

@lauran1902 claimed: “When Chris McCausland was named in line up I said he would win. He is now bookie’s favourite. He’s a great guy but doesn’t deserve to win a dance competition. What’s the point of it?”

@hannahforest also spoke about the upcoming final, saying McCausland has “done well given his disability”, yet she “would rather the most talented person won to be honest. #StrictlyComeDancing”

Another fan of the programme added: “Yes if just on judges then JB or Tasha should win but that’s the point of the Christmas Special, the main series has ALWAYS been a popularity contest.!”

Strictly judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke will all score the finalists’ dances on Saturday, but this week their scores won’t go towards the final result. Instead, the scores are merely for guidance as the ultimate winner is decided entirely by the public in the final.