Hamza Yassin is a frontrunner in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing final – and lifting the glitter ball would mean everything to him.
The wildlife cinematographer, 32, and his pro partner Jowita Przystal have scored not one, not two, but a whopping 17 10s from the judges this year, making them the highest-scoring couple of the series.
Now, they join Helen Skelton, Molly Rainford, and Fleur East in the 2022 Strictly final, with just three routines standing between them and that coveted trophy.
Appearing on the final episode of It Takes Two this year, Hamza explained to hosts Rylan Clark and Janette Manrara why he wants to go all the way.
Following a compilation of personal messages from his loved ones, Hamza burst into tears and struggled to get his words out as he wiped his eyes.
‘Go that home that glitter ball!’, his young nieces said in the VT, to which former pro dancer Janette asked: ‘Hamza, you seem quite emotional, but would you be able to quickly answer, what would it mean to you to win the glitter ball trophy?’
Hamza said in response: ‘It would be the icing on the cake.’
He continued: ‘I asked Jowita for one thing when we first met, which was that I’d like to go to the final. And she said two things, “Give me your trust and your energy”, and we’re at the final.
‘So, trophy would just be the icing on the cake and it’s exactly what she [Jowita] deserves’.
Hamza also shared how excited he is for the final, having previously never believed he could make it so far in the dance competition.
‘No,’ he said firmly when asked if he thought he could get to the end.
‘I genuinely thought, the first time that someone could get voted off, which was week 2, I would be packing my bags and going and, hand on heart, every single week, we stand together in the results show and I whisper in her ear, “Thank you so much for everything that you’ve done, I’m ready for the dance-off, here we go”.
‘I did not think that this was ever gonna happen, let alone that we’re in the final.’
In fact, Hamza has not been in a single dance-off all series, having well and truly won the hearts of the nation.
For his final performances, he and Jowita will be dancing to a judges’ pick routine of the salsa to Ecuador by Sash! featuring Rodriguez.
They will also perform their couple’s choice to Jerusalema Remix by Master KG featuring Burna Boy and Nomcebo Zikode, as well as a show dance to Let’s Face The Music And Dance by Irving Berlin.
Only time will tell whether Hamza can finish on a high and take that glitter ball home…
The Strictly Come Dancing 2022 final airs Saturday at 7:15pm on BBC One.
