November 9th 2024.
Throughout this series of Strictly Come Dancing, Chris has been the clear favorite to win. And it's no surprise - Chris McCausland has been a breath of fresh air for the show. However, before the first live show, I have to admit, he wasn't even on my radar as someone to watch out for. Looking back on it now, I feel pretty embarrassed for underestimating him.
Chris is the first ever blind contestant in the show's 20-year history, and no one could have predicted just how magical his performances would be. Watching him effortlessly twirl his partner Dianne Buswell around the dancefloor, performing tricks that most of us with perfect vision wouldn't even dare to try, has been a truly mesmerizing experience. I simply adore him, and I'm not the only one - the public loves him too. Every week, he's the contestant I look forward to watching the most, knowing that he'll either bring tears to my eyes or have me full-on sobbing into my Deliveroo.
But after Icons Week, I'm afraid Chris may be losing his grip on the Glitterball trophy. For the first time in this series, there's another contestant who has me even more excited to watch. And that's none other than Sarah Hadland. Her Cha Cha to Madonna's "Like a Prayer" was, in my opinion, one of the best performances in Strictly history. And trust me, I've watched it again and again, noticing something new every time. Her partner Vito Coppola threw her around like a rag doll, with perfect posture and lightning precision. It was by far the most electric and difficult routine of the series so far. And let's not forget to mention that iconic moment when Sarah leapt off a five-foot platform into Vito's arms - pure magic.
The judges agreed, awarding Sarah with three nines and a ten, although I still believe it was underscored. And tonight, she'll be dancing for all the Miranda fans out there, performing an American Smooth to Heather Small's "Proud" - the anthem her character Stevie would spontaneously sing throughout the series. Even though I'm not a Miranda fan myself, I couldn't help but be blown away by Sarah's performance last week. And it seems like I'm not the only one - social media was buzzing with excitement from fans who found Stevie's live, laugh, love humor hilarious.
But you don't have to be a Miranda fan to appreciate Sarah's talent. In fact, my initial reservations about Miranda actually made me overlook Sarah's potential in the first few weeks. But now, I wholeheartedly admit that I was wrong. Sarah is a shining example of how the best Strictly winners are the ones who go through the greatest journey. She may have started off as just "fine" in the beginning, but now she's a force to be reckoned with on the dancefloor. And her confidence is only growing with each passing week. As long as it doesn't get broken, I have no doubt that Sarah will continue to improve and make it all the way to the final, taking home the Glitterball trophy.
Until now, Chris has been the runaway favorite to win this series, and rightly so. In just one week of Strictly, he achieved more than most contestants could ever imagine. He completely shattered any preconceived notions about what the blind community is capable of, all through the power of dance. And the following week, he had me and many others in tears with his Foxtrot. Watching Chris dance - and I know this may sound extreme - it felt like watching a miracle. I still can't wrap my head around how he manages to be one of the strongest dancers each week, despite his lack of sight. And his partnership with Dianne Buswell is like something straight out of a 90s buddy movie. Chris will always hold a special place in this year's Strictly for so many reasons.
But as the competition heats up, another contestant is emerging as a worthy contender for the Glitterball trophy - Sarah Hadland. Tasha Ghouri may be the most accomplished dancer, but I have to root for the underdog, and that's not Tasha. Unfortunately, Will Bayley's withdrawal from the show and Neil Jones' injury have taken them out of the race. And despite his initial popularity, Jamie Laing just hasn't been able to deliver. In an ideal world, Montell Douglas would make it to the final with Chris and Sarah, but as we've seen in the United States this week, the public doesn't always make the best choices when it comes to voting. And if reports are to be believed, this may be Johannes Radebe's last series as a professional dancer on the show, so he deserves to end on a high note with one of his best partners yet.
At this stage, I can't see anyone else breaking through and coming close to winning. But just a week ago, I never would have imagined anyone other than Chris lifting that Glitterball trophy. Sadly, he's slipping down the leaderboard, while Sarah is only getting stronger. I'll go as far as to say that this contest is Sarah's for the taking, and I don't see anyone standing in her way. Tune in tonight at 6:35pm on BBC One to see who will come out on top. And don't forget to share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below.
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