I read somewhere that the Final was on Christmas day, because they were wondering how it would get on up against Coronation Street. However my TV Mag says the Final is THIS Saturday and an entertainment special is on Christmas day. Just wanted to double check as could be a costly mistake!

The final is on this Saturday, as usual. The Christmas Special is on on Christmas Day (Monday).

Was the final supposed to be on Christmas Day, but when Tarby pulled out it messed up the timing so they had to think of something else for Christmas Day?

No. Final is always live and that wouldn't be Christmas Day. Tarby pulling out means we have two to watch on Saturday not three. Hence the number of dances the boys are having to do.

Five dances is a lot to take on. Darren Gough said he had done 4 in the final last year, yet I only remember 3. A ballroom, a waltz and the show dance. What was the other one?
I don't understand why they have to both do a Viennese Waltz, although I really like the idea of the judges' choice.

They only did three last year (Foxtrot, Paso and Showdance). Maybe he meant including the Christmas Special? That would include the quickstep then.

I'm assuming this is the group dance with the other celebs
(would make one ballroom and one latin, the showdance and the judges choice to make up the 5). this is the one I really don't think M and L and M and K should have to do at all. We HAD more celebs this year to help fill up the floor and if Tarby has doctors note he could just do a tiny bit at the end.

They did a group Viennese Waltz last year as well.

I don't think they are doing the ex-contestants medley, are they? There's the ballroom, the latin, the showdance, the judge's choice and the top 2 group V Waltz, which makes 5.

The BBC should have filled the Tarbuck space up when it happened, and had no elimination that week.