We only got a short time together but I treated him to a spot of lunch and we had a lovely time chatting and catching up and I introduced him to my boys. So pleased we got to meet through the Strictly process as we get on so well.

 It was soon time to head back to Elstree and to get ready for the Final as we had to be in the Production Guest queue from around 3.15pm. This is the queue for the public who had been queueing   since very early in the morning and had been successful and came back later with their posh clothes on and stickers to say they were in! The 2 ladies just in front of my camera were actually Karen Hauer’s Mum and Sister from New York! I had been chatting away a little bit with them and was completely oblivious!

 My first reaction was how sparkly everything was and how much smaller the studio looks than you think from the TV. We had to be involved with some parts that were pre-recorded such as the opening sequence and it was amazing to see the huge scale production that goes into bringing the TV show into our homes. We had good seats and loved every minute of it and the atmosphere was electric I have to say. I have never done so many standing ovations! After the show we were also invited to be part of the audience around the sofa on the Red Button special where Zoe Ball interviewed the finalists, that was an unexpected bonus.

 We finally got our phones back after the show and I got Ross to take this photo of my wristband that allowed us extra access to the guest marquee. If you were looking for us on the show we were on quite a bit and some of my friends spotted us straight away. Here we are were the red arrow is on the opening sequence from Claudia and Tess.