Is this the closest final yet? Natalie Gumede tops the Strictly Come Dancing leader board... closely followed by Abbey Clancy
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Tensions were high throughout the all-girl final of Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday night which saw Natalie Gumede win the judges vote.
She found herself at the top of the leader board with 79 points for her two dances, the Showdance and her Cha Cha Cha, while Abbey Clancy followed closely behind with a combined 78 points for her Showdance and her Waltz.
But the public will decide on the winner, which will be announced on the live results show at 8.40pm on BBC1.
Green goddess: Natalie Gumede and Artem Chingvintsev won the judges vote on the first of two live Strictly shows on Saturday night
Natalie and Artem stunned with their Showdance which they performed to Steppin' Out With My Baby by Christina Aguilera and Tony Bennett.
They were third to perform during the second part of the evening and Natalie looked amazing in a green and gold leotard with gold gloves and green bangles while Artem looked dapper in a cream 1920s suit.
They got cheers from the audience when Natalie cartwheeled and then danced upon a pole.
She's got the look: Natalie looked stunning in a green and gold leotard
Top marks: The pair earned an impressive 40 for their performance
Their energetic routine won praise from judge Craig who said: 'Wow, that is a show dance to end all show dances. That was absolutely magnificent.'
Darcey added: 'Fab-u-lous!'
Len also heaped praise on the couple and said: 'I know we like an underdog but we like justice more.. if you're not in that top three...'
Bruno said: 'I'm telling you. A total smash of a dance.'
They scored the second 40 of the night, after Abbey got the same mark for her impressive Waltz with Len saying he wished he could score the pair 11.
Pretty in purple: Susanna and Kevin danced the Quickstep to Tommy Steele song Good Morning
First to dance on Saturday night's show was bookies' favourite Susanna Reid and Kevin Clifton who performed the Quickstep from week 10.
The judges chose this dance for them as they couple had previously had some issues with their footwork - and they performed the dance to Tommy Steele song Good Morning.
Susanna dazzled in a purple maxi dress which was covered in gems while Kevin from Grimsby wore a a black and purple pinstripe suit.
Such a shame: Susanna was right to wipe away her tears as she scored the lowest points of the night
Len Goodman said: 'What a wonderful start to this final. It was light and bright and I tell you what... knockout!'
Bruno Toniolo said: 'You danced it even better this time. Your footwork was spot on. I can't wait to see what Susanna does next.'
Darcey Bussell said: 'It was cheeky, sweet, smart, fast-paced and not one faux pas with that footwork. Well done.'
The couple got a standing ovation and scored an impressive 37 points. But the judges scores are for guidance tonight as the viewing public will have the final say as to who wins.
What a gem! Abbey Clancy and Aljaz Skorjanec were scored one point behind Natalie Gumede
Second up was Abbey Clancy and Aljaz Skorjanec. The judges chose the Waltz from week one for the couple to dance and Abbey was thrilled as it was her favourite number.
They performed their routine to Kissing You by Des'ree and Abbey said she wanted to have 'more conviction' in her steps this time.
Abbey looked stunning in a white jewelled skintight dress and diamond earrings while Aljaz wore a white shirt and trousers combo.
The model and TV presenter sobbed as she embraced her dance partner at the end of the routine and her mother looked extremely proud while sitting in the audience.
Close call: Abbey could barely contain her emotions and the pair scored 40 points for their first dance
Bruno loved the routine and said: 'It was Strictly stupendous. I think I am experiencing everlasting love. You have transformed yourself into a beautiful dancer and you are a winner regardless.'
Craig Revel Horwood said: 'I said in week one that I had a hunch about you two and I was absolutely right. That was amazing.'
Len Goodman was also a fan and said: 'No girl celebrity has had a better top line than you ever, and in America, it's fantastic.'
Host Bruce Forsyth quipped: 'Her bottom line wasn't bad either.' They scored an almighty 40 points from the judges putting them in first place for the first dance.
Whatever the feather: Natalie Gumede and Artem Chingvintsev dance the Cha Cha Cha to Boney M's Rasputin
Natalie Gumede and Artem Chingvintsev danced the Cha Cha Cha to Boney M song Rasputin. The judges said they wanted Natalie to have fun and let go this time.
Natalie showed off her enviable curves in a feathered white mini dress with a red and gold sparkly belt while Artem wore a bolero with cropped trousers.
Darcey said: 'I didn't know it could be possible that you could be cleaner. That hip action. It was just a terrific dance once again.'
What a corker! Natalie and Artem scored 39 points for their first dance
Len loved it too and said: 'Excellent is never a fluke. Excellent comes from hard work and sweating and that was excellent.'
A cheeky Bruno added: 'As for the hips... Hip hip hooray!'
Natalie scored an impressive 39, just one point away from Abbey Clancy and Aljaz. It was a huge improvement from the last time they performed the dance in which they scored 31 points.
Alright in white: Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Brendan Cole danced the Viennese Waltz to My Favourite Things by Julie Andrews
Last of the four finalists to dance was Sophie Ellis-Bextor and her partner Brendan Cole.
The judges chose the Viennese Waltz from musicals week for the couple to dance and they recommended that Sophie kept her head up in order to raise her game.
They danced to the tune of My Favourite Things by Julie Andrews. Sophie wore a long white bridal-style dress with a glittery belt while Brendan wore a grey suit with tails.
Brendan picked Sophie up at the end and told her: 'You were amazing. Absolutely amazing,' while her mother Janet Ellis sobbed in the audience.
Darcey was blown away and said: 'You looked so much more comfortable in the hold... it was a pleasure to watch.'
Kind gent: Brendan told Sophie her dance was 'absolutely beautiful'
Len loved it too: 'It was all there, natural rotation... I loved the pivets and the lovely whimsical feel to the dance. Last time I had an issue with your body and that was all sorted out.'
Bruno was mesmerised and said: 'God you can spin my head, girl. You captured the style so well. Cecil Beaton would be proud of your interpretations.'
But Craig was booed when he said: 'I think your posture let you down slightly... but you move as one.'
The couple scored 39 putting them in joint second place.
For the second half of the show, the couple danced their show dancers and host Tess Daly said 'the rules are... there are no rules.'
Silver siren: Susanna and Kevin danced their showdance to Elton John's Your Song
First up was Susanna Reid and Kevin Clifton. The BBC Breakfast presenter struggled to contain her emotions ahead of her dance.
She stunned in a long white feathered dress which had a see-through floral panel down the side while Kevin wore a black suit.
The star also wore her hair down and in loose curls and the end of their routine was finished off with fireworks while the pair had an emotional embrace.
So macho: Judge Bruno told Kevin: 'Your neck must be made of reinforced steel' after Susanna swung around on it
Len was impressed and said: 'What you know is elegance, style and sophistication. I thought it was a beautiful song, beautifully danced.'
Bruno was also a fan and said: 'Kevin, your neck must be made of reinforced steel,' in reference to the moment Susanna was airborne and span several times while clinging onto Kevin's neck.
Susanna seemed shocked when Darcey said: 'There was no wow factor, but there doesn't always need to be wow factor to be classy.'
The crowd booed as all four judges awarded them nine points each meaning they scored 36 points.
Rocking out! Abbey and Aljaz danced their Showdance to Guns N' Roses song Sweet Child O' Mine
Next to dance again was Abbey and Aljaz whose dance was full of lifts. Abbey was worried about the tango-y paso, as she called it, saying for every 10 lifts, only one is right.
Their Showdance was to the tune of Guns N' Roses song, Sweet Child O' Mine and at one point, they stood upon a smoke-filled platform.
Abbey wore a black diamanté mini number complete with gold cape and Aljaz wore a leather and glitter waistcoat with a fake tattoo on his arm.
On fire! The couple set the stage alight...literally... with their moves
He's the man! Aljaz wore a fake tattoo sleeve down one arm
Judge Bruno's pulse was racing as he yelled: 'Let's take a walk on the wild side.'
Len added: 'It was a full-on performance and I loved the mix of the ballroom and the Latin. I thought parts of it were surplus to requirements,' at this point, the audience booed him.He replied: 'Am I bothered?'
The couple walked away with a pleasing 38, two marks short of what they achieved after their first performance.
Rocking in raspberry: Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Brendan Cole danced their Showdance to Whitney Houston's I Wanna Dance With Somebody
Sophie and Brendan were last to perform their Showdance to Whitney Houston's I Wanna Dance With Somebody.
The singer looked amazing with long hair extensions and a raspberry showstopper of a dress. Brendan wore a black shirt and trousers which made Sophie stand out all the more.
Len said: 'I liked the lifts and I liked the energy. Sophie, you can do no more than give your all and I could see you were doing that.'
What a dazzler: Sophie added some showbiz glamour to the show in her jewelled number
Bruno added: 'I am sure after this series, you could dance with anyone you wanted to, they will be queuing around the block.'
The pair scored a middling 35.
Overall, Natalie is top of the leaderboard, followed by Abbey, Sophie and then Susanna.
Firm friends: The pair have clearly enjoyed their time together on the show
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2527576/Is-closest-final-Natalie-Gumede-tops-Strictly-Come-Dancing-leader-board-closely-followed-Abbey-Clancy.html#ixzz2o97l9QLh
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