Strictly Come Dancing final voting figures - here's why we'll never find out who came second

(Image credit: BBC / Guy Levy)

Bill might have won the glitter ball - but who came second and third?

Strictly Come Dancing has sadly come to an end for another year after a spectacular series that has been brightening our weekend evenings since the autumn.

Lots of fans were thrilled that Bill Bailey and his dance partner Oti Mabuse were crowned the winners of 2020... but many were left wondering where the other finalists came in the running for the glitter ball trophy.

Strictly Come Dancing final

We'll never find out where HRVY and Janette came in the running for the glitter ball trophy (Picture: BBC) (Image credit: BBC/Guy Levy)

Maisie Smith and her dance partner Gorka Marquez, HRVY and Janette Manrara, and Jamie Laing and Karen Hauer were also all in this year's final.

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All four couples performed brilliantly on the night, with many dances scoring perfect tens from the judges.

But sadly for Strictly Come Dancing fans, we won't find out any time soon who took second place, or even third.

Strictly Come Dancing final

Maisie and Gorka won't know if they came second or third in the competition (Picture: BBC) (Image credit: BBC/Guy Levy)

Despite publishing the final votes as percentages when Strictly first started, in more recent years this tradition has been stopped.

The BBC has said that they won't be publishing the voting figures for the final because of the fear it would affect the way people vote for the show in the future.

The mystery remains 

In a statement the BBC told The Sun: "We invite you to vote for the dancers that you liked the best, based on their performance in each show and during the series.

"Releasing voting figures could affect the way that people vote, and also have an impact on the participants.

Strictly Come Dancing final

It's a mystery where Jamie and Karen came in the live final of Strictly Come Dancing (Picture: BBC) (Image credit: BBC/Guy Levy)

"We therefore do not disclose the exact voting figures."

But before the glitter and sparkle of Strictly fades too much, we have still got a Christmas special to look forward to.

Strictly: The Christmas Countdown will air on Christmas Day, reminding us of the 25 most memorable dances in the history of the show.

Tune in to Strictly: The Christmas Countdown on Christmas Day at 4.45pm on BBC One. 

Claire Crick
Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch

Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia. 


After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off


She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz! 


As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.