A Strictly Come Dancing star has pulled out of the BBC finale this weekend after a very controversial stint on the show.

This Saturday, Love Island legend Amber Davies, 29, YouTuber George Clarke, 26, and footballer Karen Carney, 38, will be battling it out for the Glitterball Trophy.

Many of the celebrities will return to the studio one last time to celebrate the end of the series, but there will be one famous face who won’t be there.

Apprentice star Thomas Skinner, 34 – who was the first to leave the dance show – has another commitment to attend to.

The reality star was partnered with Amy Dowden, 35, in the competition.

However, fans will be happy to know that the dancer, who recently underwent a second mastectomy following a battle with breast cancer, will be in attendance.

A Strictly Come Dancing star has pulled out of the BBC finale this weekend after a VERY controversial stint on the show
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A Strictly Come Dancing star has pulled out of the BBC finale this weekend after a VERY controversial stint on the show

Apprentice star Thomas Skinner, 34 - who was the first to leave the dance show - has another commitment to attend to
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Apprentice star Thomas Skinner, 34 – who was the first to leave the dance show – has another commitment to attend to

The reality star was partnered with Amy Dowden, 35, in the competition, who will be appearing in the final
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The reality star was partnered with Amy Dowden, 35, in the competition, who will be appearing in the final

The Welsh professional dancer will perform in the routine alongside the rest of the Strictly 2025 cast.

In October Thomas said he wishes he ‘never went on Strictly Come Dancing’, as he has received ‘constant abuse’ following the revelation that he cheated on his wife.

The star admitted to cheating on his wife Sinead with Amy-Lucy O’Rourke just weeks after their wedding in May 2022, claiming the ‘two week fling’ was a ‘moment of madness’ that saw him almost ‘ruin his life’.

EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal, 47, narrowly missed out on a place in the final after losing to Amber Davies in the dance-off, becoming the tenth star to be eliminated.

Despite surviving a record five dance-offs, the soap star was voted off at the semi-final stage after the judges unanimously chose to save Amber and Nikita Kuzmin in the dance-off.

Having each danced two routines during Saturday’s live show, Balvinder and Amber each chose one routine to perform again.

Balvinder said that it was an ‘honour’ to perform again, while Amber claimed it was nerve-wracking to go up against the ‘dance off assassin.’

Thomas and Amy were the first to be voted off the show earlier this year
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Thomas and Amy were the first to be voted off the show earlier this year

Balvinder and Julian performed their Salsa to Rhythm Is Gonna Get You/Get On Your Feet by Gloria Estefan, before Amber and Nikita performed their Couple’s Choice to Raye’s Fly Me to the Moon.

All four judges then voted to save Amber and Nikita, meaning Balvinder and Julian would sadly be leaving the competition.

When asked by Tess about her time on the show, Balvinder said: ‘I’ve absolutely adored every single minute.

‘All the dance offs, all the challenges, but just more than anything, just being in this building and dancing on this floor with such an amazing human being. It was my Yes Year, and I said yes to Strictly.

‘My family, we’ve had some hard times, but they’ve been here.’

Tess then asked Balvinder what the partnership meant and what she had to say to Julian: ‘I mean, I have no words, actually.

‘You’ve been brilliant in every sense of the word, when I wobbled, and when I felt really brilliant about the dance and got the steps right, you’ve just held me in your hands and you’ve gone, Bal, we’ve got this.

‘It’s just me and you, and we’re gonna do this together. And we have done every single dance together, I’ve never felt alone on this floor, and I just want you to remember me. Don’t replace me too soon!’

When asked about having Balvinder as his first partner on Strictly Come Dancing, Julian said: ‘I just think that Bal embodies what this competition is about.

‘Her spirit is unbreakable, and [to Bal] you have shown me that I’m actually dreaming too small, and Bal can inspire us that whatever any of us want in life, all you have to have is the desire to go after it.

‘It took six dance offs and a perfect score to take this lady out, so I am so so proud of you!’

Balvinder added: ‘Everyone’s been brilliant. The minute you walk into this building, it’s like a massive hug. Every single time. I’ve walked in, people have just held me and gone ‘You know, you’re all right’.