We've reached the Strictly Come Dancing Semi-Final! Yes, that means we have just two more weeks of the UK's favorite reality TV competition this year - and just two more weeks (plus a Christmas Special) with Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman as our hosts! The BBC One program is undergoing a period of change, but that hasn't prevented it from delivering one of the most memorable series in some time!
Throughout the series, audiences have watched as predicted finalists Vicky Pattison, Alex Kingston, and Lewis Cope were eliminated much earlier than expected. Lewis may have made the Quarter Finals, but nobody expected him to be last week's shock elimination. And of the shock of Lewis' elimination still hangs in the air as the four remaining couples take on two dances for the Semi-Finals
With that in mind, who brought the dancefloor alive with their footwork at the most crucial stage of the competition? Let's dive into our recap and give you all the results you need to know.
Strictly spoilers and results: Week 12 Leaderboard
What a Semi-Final that was! Our couples took on two dances in what can only be described as an evening of great dancing! We saw Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin finally get the chance to deliver their Couples Choice, Balvinder Sopal and Jullian Caillon stunned with a beautiful Waltz, Karen Carney and Carlos Gu thrilled with a party dance of a Salsa, and George Clarke and Alexis Warr offered up an entertaining Inbetweeners-esque Charleston!
But how did each of the couples fare with two dances? Here are the scores that each of the two dances were given by the judges, and the Leaderboard we were left with at the end of the Semi-Final.
- Karen and Carlos danced the Waltz / Salsa - 39 + 38 = 78
- Amber and Nikita danced the Tango / Couples Choice - 37 + 40 = 77
- George and Karen danced the Samba / Charleston - 35 + 37 = 72
- Balvinder and Julian danced Salsa / Waltz - 35 + 35 = 70
Who is in danger on Strictly Come Dancing 2025 Week 12?
After last week's shock Dance-Off and subsequent elimination, the answer to the above question is: Everybody! All four couples danced very, very well on the Saturday evening show, which is what makes it so hard to believe that two of the four will end up in the Dance-Off - with one of them being eliminated. The question is: Who?
The ties on the Leaderboard last weekend played a major role in Amber and Lewis falling into the Dance-Off (as the public vote carries more weight, breaking the ties), but the two dances in the Semi-Final creates less chances of that happening. That won't be an issue this week, as there are no ties.
Karen and Carlos' position at the top the Leaderboard has likely made them safe as houses as they are already popular with the public. There was some controversy over their clearly flawed Waltz getting 10s, but that won't detract from the strength of their vote. Amber was understandably the strongest dancer of the night but she isn't at the top of the Leaderboard, and that makes her vulnerable as she has appeared in the Dance-Off before. The same could be said for Balvinder, who is at the bottom of the Leaderboard despite not being the weakest dancer of the night.
George is very popular with the public and he is more vulnerable than usual with his placement at third on the Leaderboard. But given how strong his vote is, he could very well still be safe.
Taking all of that into account, the Dance-Off could go any which way. But we likely won't be seeing Karen and Carlos in the Dance-Off.
Who went home on the Strictly Semi-Final?
The Strictly Come Dancing 2025 Semi-Final results ended up rather like we predicted. Karen and Carlos and George and Alexis avoided the Dance-Off as they were both announced to be safe and through to the Final by hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
That left the remaining two couples - two couples familiar with the grit and determination needed to win a Dance-Off - to compete for the third spot in the Final. And with that, we were in for one heck of a Dance-Off!
Dance-Off: Balvinder and Julian vs. Amber and Nikita
Upon the revelation that George and Karen were safe and in the Final, Balvinder and Julian and Amber and Nikita spoke with the judges about their upcoming Dance-Off. Both were grateful to have made it to the Semi-Final and Craig, who had the casting vote this weekend, told them both to go out and have the best time.
Balvinder and Julian reprised their Salsa, which scored 35 on the Saturday Night show, and they delivered an event stronger performance this time around. Anton praised her for once again coming to life in the Dance-Off, showing that fire that she has shown all series, while the other judges were extremely complimentary of the routine as well.
Amber and Nikita chose to reprise their Couples Choice, once again delivering a showy, classy, elegant routine that showcased the best of what Amber has to offer. It received a perfect score of 40 on the Saturday Night show and it was every bit as perfect on the Sunday Night Results Show.
The judges were full of praise for both couples' routines and their overall journeys throughout the competition. Anton specifically applauded Balvinder for the fight in her Salsa, once again earning her title of Dance-Off Queen. However, he voted to save Amber and Nikita. Motsi and Shirley also voted to save Amber and Nikita, sending them through to the Final.
Eliminated: Balvinder and Julian
What a journey Balvinder and Julian have been on. To say that the show will miss their presence is an understatement. Balvinder has been the true journey contestant of this series, showing so much growth throughout her time in the competition. From landing in the Dance-Off in Week 3 to making it all the way to the Semi-Final, she has made history for surviving the most Dance-Offs, setting a new record of 5. And she deserved to be saved, every single time!
Seeing Balvinder Sopal blossom into one of the best dancers of the competition has been a true honor. And Julian Caillon did a wonderful job in his first year as a Strictly pro. They should be very proud of what they accomplished; I know I am, along with so many others. What a journey indeed!
Relive their stunning Viennese Waltz below: