Does anyone have an idea just how any votes are cast each week, and if there are a lot more people voting just in the final, as compared to earlier rounds? I know some papers have said a couple of weeks ago that Susannah was way ahead in the public voting, but I am wondering if this could have changed dramatically over the last 2 weeks (would Patricks old voters be inclined to vote for any remaining contestant in particular), and also will there be a lot of new voters this Saturday?

I get the feeling it is still anyone's to win. The odds currently suggest it's a 2 horse race, between Abbey and Susannah.

Abbey to win!

Yes the voting figures for other show indicate about ten times as many people vote in finals. This will benefit Sophie in particular as she has a real show-stopper of a Charleston to perform. This will pick up a lot of the casual vote.

All this supposes she dances well enough to get sufficient votes int the first half.

Well her Viennese Waltz was close to perfection last time so I'm not too concerned about that.

Yes it could as could Susanna's Paso, Abbey's QS & Natalie's AS (depending on whose still there). People will have made their minds up before then though & the window of voting in part 2 is very small

Opinion, not fact though. And opinion from someone who is a decalred Sophie supporter, so it might just be a little biased.

There is an increase in the number of votes, but IMO that is mostly a result of viewers who have already been voting placing more votes in the final than they usually would. Obviously there will be some people voting for the first time in the final, but I wouldn't imagine that this accounts for most of the additional votes that are cast. The format itself encourages multi-voting, since it asks you to vote after the first show then re-opens the lines in the second show.

Apart from the online votes being new this year. I never spend money voting until the final. So it will be interesting to see how the dynamic changes.

I only ever vote in the Final

I'd agree with this. It's also impossible to qualify as the voting figures are never revealed.

How very dare you! Judge Dread is incredibly fair and impartial.

As long as you support Sophie.

I only vote in the final, even with the free votes I haven't voted. Seems like a lot of hassle. I'd guess a swathe of strictly viewers vote once by phone in the final despite watching the whole thing.

I don't think the number of people who only vote in the final is enough to significantly change the course of the series. Most of the winners probably had it made before a single step was danced in the final.

Indeed!