PANTO star Craig Revel Horwood is predicting a show-stopping Strictly final tonight.

The actor, director and choreographer is to take a break from starring as the Wicked Queen in Snow White at Southampton's Mayflower Theatre for one night only to return to the job he is best known for - as the sharp tongued Strictly Come Dancing judge we all love to hate.

Former magician's assistant Debbie McGee and partner Giovanni Pernice, former X Factor winner and musical theatre star Alexandra Burke and Gorka Marquez, Emmerdale actress Gemma Atkinson and Alja? Škorjanec and Holby City actor Joe McFadden and Katya Jones will be battling it out for the glitterball trophy on the BBC show at 6.30pm.

The public will decide the fate of the couples after their selection of three dances.

Taking a break from panto rehearsals, Craig told the Daily Echo: "It's going to be amazing, I'm very much looking forward to the final. The audience have the final say, so the pressure is off us, we just get to enjoy it!

"Joe has got a good chance of winning it and Alexandra Burke seems to have come out the other side of the the problems she was having last week, which I thought were disgusting. The trolling was awful, but I think things can change very quickly. We just have to remember Ore (Oduba, last year's winner) was in the dance off twice and went on to win it.

"All the right people got through to the final I think, apart from maybe Aston (Merrygold of JLS fame) unfortunately, but he was in the wrong place at the wrong time, which is a shame. I'd have liked to have seen him in the final, that's my only regret really.

"Debbie is absolutely fantastic, as is Gemma. I think they all have a chance and it will be an entertaining evening. I look forward to sitting back and enjoying it!"

Craig returns to Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs tomorrow.

The South Coast's biggest pantomime runs until January 7. Tickets: 023 8071 1811 or mayflower.org.uk