George Clarke’s Strictly Journey: From Nervous Newcomer to Grand Finalist

YouTuber George Clarke Reaches Strictly Come Dancing Final

YouTuber George Clarke and his professional dance partner Alexis Warr have secured their place in the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 final, competing for the coveted glitterball trophy this weekend. The Strictly Come Dancing final airs on BBC One on Saturday 20th December at 7pm, marking the culmination of an impressive journey for the 26-year-old social media star.

A Journey of Growth and Transformation

George Clarke admits he felt ‘uncomfortable’ at the start of his Strictly Come Dancing journey, confessing he was a nervous wreck when he first stepped onto the BBC One show. However, his transformation has been remarkable. In the launch show it looked uncomfortable to simply stand on some steps and clap, but 12 weeks later he was performing confidently.

The 25-year-old was announced as a contestant on the twenty-third series of Strictly Come Dancing in August 2025. Throughout the competition, George has demonstrated strong performances, overcoming obstacles including a back injury during dance rehearsals that required physiotherapy treatment.

Personal Dedication and Emotional Moments

The competition has also provided George with opportunities to share deeply personal stories. George dedicated his rumba to his mum Nicky, who has been diagnosed with encephalitis since he was 16 and more recently with cancer, calling her ‘the most selfless person’.

Frontrunner Status and What’s Next

Following the semi-final, fans took to Reddit discussing that George Clarke is the ‘obvious’ winner of this year’s series due to his huge following. He faces competition from Love Island’s Amber Davies with Nikita Kuzmin, and former footballer Karen Carney with Carlos Gu.

Beyond Strictly, George has landed a BBC hosting gig on Radio 1 on Christmas Day, with a pre-recorded episode broadcasting between 3pm and 4pm, showing his expanding opportunities within the broadcaster. Regardless of Saturday’s outcome, George Clarke’s Strictly journey represents a remarkable transformation from uncomfortable newcomer to confident performer and genuine finalist.