How to watch Strictly Come Dancing final 2021 online and stream for free from anywhere

With plenty of missteps along the way, this year's Strictly has been anything but a waltz in the park – but we've made it to the final through cheers and tears, and we're ready to dance the night away. Here, we'll be telling you how to watch the Strictly Come Dancing 2021 final online for free and from anywhere.

Strictly's an institution at this point, and the glitz and glamour of the final is a sure sign that Christmas is just around the corner. 

Unfortunately, at the beginning of the week, disaster befell AJ Odudu, who tore a ligament in her right ankle. On Friday, it was confirmed that AJ and her partner Kai Widdrington, would be unable to take part in the final, leaving the Strictly final to become a two-couple race.

EastEnders star Rose Ayling-Ellis and partner Giovanni Pernice are hot favourites to lift the Glitterball, having been tipped as top twinkle toes since first setting foot in the ballroom. 

The final couple competing to win is Bake Off winner John Whaite and partner Johannes Radebe – the first-ever male same-sex duo to dance on the show. Without a shadow of a doubt, this final will be absolutely show-stopping.

All you need to do is keep reading to find out how you can catch the action, and even use a VPN while abroad to make sure you don't miss who lifts the Glitterball this year

How to watch Strictly Come Dancing 2021 in the UK

Once again, the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom finds its home on linear TV channel, BBC One, which is free-to-air with a valid TV license. The final will begin live at 7pm GMT.

Whether you want to watch Strictly Come Dancing online live or on catch-up, you can do so over on BBC iPlayer.

No need to be limited to watching on your desktop either. iPlayer is available to watch on a number of devices, including:

• Smart TVs: JVC, Philips, LG, Polaroid, Panasonic, Samsung 
• Desktop: Windows, Mac
• Mobile: iOS, Android
• Media streamers: Amazon Fire TV, Now TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku
• Consoles: Xbox One, PS4

How to watch Strictly Come Dancing if you're abroad

If you're from the UK but currently abroad, you'll find that you won't be able to access iPlayer – but there's a super simple way you can quickstep around these geo-restrictions with the help of the best VPN.

VPNs allow you to virtually change your location, and to watch Strictly abroad, all you need to do is connect to a UK server. Then, your IP address will seem like it's in the UK, and iPlayer will let you watch whatever you want, wherever you are.

Not sure which to pick? Here's our top choice of streaming VPN – and it certainly doesn't have two left feet...

ExpressVPN - Watch Strictly Come Dancing wherever you are with the best VPN
Able to successfully unlock BBC iPlayer's extensive library of British entertainment (and just about every other streaming service around), ExpressVPN also boasts fabulous security features on top of its geo-unblocking talents. As the champion of VPNs, its speed and device compatibility certainly gives it the right to strut its stuff as our recommended provider.

Sign up now and snatch ExpressVPN's annual plan, where you'll receive an additional 3 months free, as well as benefitting from its 30-day money back guarantee.

- Give ExpressVPN a try with its 100% money back guarantee

• New to VPN? Find out how to use one to unblock geo-restrictions

How to use a VPN to unblock any restrictions

If you're outside of your preferred broadcaster's boundaries, you can use a VPN to unblock any geo-restrictions and watch the Strictly Come Dancing 2021 final as if you were right at home. Here's our step-by-step guide on how to do just that.

• VPN - standing for virtual private network - offers security and anonymity as you browse online, using set protocols to encrypt your data and make it unreadable to outsiders.
• As a part of that, you can also switch your IP address, which identifies your location.
• Most VPNs offer a list of locations where its servers are based to join. Connecting to them switches your IP to appear as if you're browsing from that country/city. In turn, you can then access content locked to that country.
• When it comes to finding a VPN, you should make sure you find the best one that's suitable for your chosen device, with VPN providers offering compatibility for a ton of devices, including VPN for Mac, VPN for Android smartphones, an iPad VPN, and even a range of fairly nifty free VPNs.
• Once you've made the decision for the most suitable VPN for your device and your means for using a VPN, sign-up and install it. 
• To watch Strictly Come Dancing, all you need to do is select a country showing matches from its list of available servers and connect. You'll then be able to hop over geo-restrictions, with BBC iPlayer opening its online gates to you.
• We also want to ensure your money is well spent, so we would recommend going for a VPN that offers a risk-free trial. ExpressVPN is one of many providers that has a 30-day money back guarantee.

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