Strictly: Matt's hoping for victory

Strictly Come Dancing finalist Matt Di Angelo has admitted that the "sympathy vote" may have helped him win a place in Saturday's showdown.

And the former EastEnder is hoping that he and partner Flavia Cacace might still have a chance of victory, even though fellow contestant Alesha Dixon is hot favourite to take the title with her partner Matthew Cutler

"I think there's still a chance we can win," he said. "We're paying people off for having faith in us earlier."

However he added that he didn't want the sympathy vote to secure him a victory.

"I think it's impossible to win that way in the final," he said. "People should vote for the performance they see on the night."

Meanwhile Alesha - who is 1-3 favourite with the bookies - has said she is "amazed" to have reached the final.

"I was absolutely convinced that it was going to be an all-boy final," she admitted.

"I have faith in the girls but I do feel we have to raise our game and we can't put a foot wrong."

Both couples will perform five routines in Saturday's final, with the winner announced later on in the evening.