Ready to rhumba-l! Gemma Atkinson, Alexandra Burke, Debbie McGee and Joe McFadden flash determined grins as they cosy up to coveted Strictly Come Dancing glitterball ahead of Grand Final

By Ekin Karasin and Julia Pritchard for MailOnline

Published: 01:03 GMT, 16 December 2017 | Updated: 17:13 GMT, 16 December 2017

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They have waltzed, jived and quick-stepped across the Strictly Come Dancing floor for 13 drama-packed weeks.

And Alexandra Burke, Gemma Atkinson, Debbie McGee and Joe McFadden looked utterly determined to scoop the glitterball trophy in this weekend's hotly-tipped Grand Final.

Within touching distance of victory, the beaming finalists couldn't hide their ambition as they jostled to get closer to the dazzling gong.

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Showdown: Gemma Atkinson, Joe McFadden, Alexandra Burke and Debbie McGee looked utterly determined to scoop the glitterball trophy in this weekend's hotly-tipped Grand Final

Emmerdale star Gemma eschewed her Strictly sequins, opting to swathe her toned physique in a skintight poloneck dress.

Meanwhile former X Factor winner Alexandra, 29, gave a sartorial nod to her glamorous stage outfits in a disc-sequinned black top.

The group were later joined by her partners, with Gemma cosying up to Aljaz Skorjanec, oe beaming alongside Katya Jones, Alexandra joining forces with Gorka Marquez and Debbie being flanked by Giovanni Pernice.

When two become one: The group were later joined by her partners, with Gemma cosying up to Aljaz Skorjanec, oe beaming alongside Katya Jones, Alexandra joining forces with Gorka Marquez and Debbie being flanked by Giovanni Pernice

Exciting: Within touching distance of victory, the beaming finalists couldn't hide their ambition as they jostled to get closer to the dazzling gong

It comes amid the news that the 2017 series of Strictly has received the highest ever viewing figures in its fourteen-year history.

The beloved ballroom show has attracted an average of 11 million viewers every weekend since it kicked off in September - just beating last year's all-time high of 10.9 million.

The eye-watering figures come after it emerged The X Factor, Strictly's famous Saturday night ITV rival, drew in its worst ever ratings this year, with only 5.2 million tuning in to the last episode.

Success: The 2017 series Strictly Come Dancing has received the highest ever viewing figures in its history (finalists Debbie McGee and Giovanni Pernice pictured)

Impressive: The ballroom show has attracted an average of 11 million viewers every weekend - just beating last year's all-time high of 10.9 million (finalist Alexandra Burke pictured)

The figures, compiled by the Press Association, show how Strictly has become one of the BBC’s biggest success stories of recent years - and how The X Factor has tumbled in popularity since the start of the decade.

Strictly has attracted an average of 11 million viewers every weekend in 2017, making the series the most successful ever.

The biggest-ever audience for a Strictly final was 14.3 million in 2010 - meaning Saturday's big finish is likely to be the most-watched episode in the show's history.

Popular: The viewing figures, compiled by Press Association, prove this year's series to be the most successful in its fourteen year history (finalists Joe McFadden and Katya Jones pictured)

Record holder: The biggest ever audience for a Strictly final was 14.3 million in 2010 (winners Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev pictured) - with the 2017 final likely to overtake this figure

Last year the final had overnight ratings of 11.8 million, which rose to 13.3 million when the full ratings were published.

Strictly has not only broken its own records in 2017 - but has also enjoyed a bumper ratings lead over The X Factor.

The final of the singing contest drew in 5.5 million less viewers than the ballroom show's quarter-final - and The X Factor regularly pulled in about 4.6 million less than its competitor.

Second place: Strictly has not only broken its own records in 2017 - but has also enjoyed a bumper ratings lead over The X Factor

Decline: The final of the singing contest, which saw boy band Rak-Su crowned the winners (above) drew in 5.5 million less viewers than the ballroom show's quarter-final

In 2010 the ITV talent show was watched by an average of 14.1 million people every week - but the figure this year was less than half at just 6.3 million.

After this year's final, Twitter was awash with complaints that 2017 had been the 'worst series of The X Factor yet'.

'Think #XFactor needs a break to be fair,' one fan said. 'For me this has been one of the worst years. Lost its sparkle'

Better and better: The gap between the rivals has grown every year since 2012, when Strictly began to move comfortably ahead (finalists Gemma Atkinson and Aljaz Skorjanec pictured)

'This years X Factor has been dogs**t. Worst there's ever been.' said another, while another asked: 'As if X Factor ended and I didn't even realise there was a final.'

The gap between the rivals has grown every year since 2012, when Strictly first began to move comfortably ahead of The X Factor.

Fans are eagerly awaiting to see Alexandra Burke, Debbie McGee, Joe McFadden and Gemma Atkinson battle for the Glitterball Trophy on Saturday night.

Each couple will perform an epic three dances - one picked by the Judges, one show dance, and their favourite routine of the series.

Strictly Come Dancing airs on BBC One at 6.30pm on Saturday