Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have been part of Strictly for many years (Image: PA)
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Strictly Come Dancing stars Karen Carney, George Clarke and Amber Davies have made it through to the coveted final – but one star has been dealt a crushing blow just hours before they perform for the show, which airs on BBC One at 7pm tonight (Saturday, December 20). The bookmakers are anticipating tonight’s finale to be the “most-watched” in the show’s history, ahead of hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman leaving the show at the end of the year. However, just hours before the all-important final airs, Karen has been dealt some bad news by the bookies.

Speaking on behalf of Premium Live Casino Genting Casino, Celebrity PR Specialist Kayley Cornelius said of the former footballer: “When it comes to the glitterball itself, the betting suggests George Clarke goes into the final as the 6/5 favourite, with Karen Carney sitting just behind him at 5/2.

Karen Carney and Carlos Gu are competiting for the Glitterball Trophy (Image: Guy Levy/BBC/PA)

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“Karen has delivered consistently strong performances throughout the series and remains a very credible contender, but finals are often decided by public mobilisation rather than technical ability alone.”

Kayley explained that one of the biggest factors working in George’s favour is the way Strictly voting has shifted online.

She added: “That change plays directly into the hands of stars like George, who comes with an online-first audience that is young, loyal and highly engaged. These are fans who don’t just watch passively – they show up, they vote, and they feel personally invested in the outcome, which can make all the difference when the final votes are being counted.”

The YouTube star has a “huge weight of support coming from the online creator community,” the expert said.

She noted: “That level of organic reach is something traditional celebrities simply can’t replicate, and it could spell trouble for fellow finalist Karen Carney, who, despite sitting at a respectable 5/2 in the betting, currently trails favourite George Clarke as the public rally around their online favourite.”

Addressing the viewership figures, she added: “Tonight’s Strictly Come Dancing final could be one for the record books, with both viewership and voting turnout tipped to reach all-time highs.

“As Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman prepare to bow out after years at the heart of the show, viewers are expected to tune in in their millions to watch what will be an emotional and historic farewell. That sense of occasion is a big reason why the final is currently priced at 6/4 to become the most-watched Strictly final ever.