They’ve twirled, they’ve tangoed, they’ve brought the house down week after week with jaw-dropping lifts, perfect 40s and chemistry that could power the Blackpool Tower lights – and now George Clarke and Alexis Warr are preparing to say goodbye to the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom in what promises to be the most emotional final in years.

In a heart-melting tribute that’s left the nation sobbing into their sequinned cushions, fans are declaring: ‘George and Alexis have had the time of their lives, and we’ve had the time of ours watching them.’

The viral caption sums up perfectly the fairy-tale journey of the 24-year-old YouTube sensation – real name George Robinson, with over 4 million subscribers on his wildly popular channel – and his stunning professional partner Alexis, 29, as they gear up for Saturday’s grand final on December 20.

From the moment they were paired in September, George and Alexis were instant favourites. The cheeky lad from Essex, famous for his prank videos, challenges and vlogs with mates, arrived on the show with zero dance experience – but a megawatt smile and boundless enthusiasm that won hearts immediately.

‘I’ve never even done the Macarena properly,’ he joked on launch night. Fast-forward 13 weeks, and he’s a bona fide ballroom beast – topping the leaderboard multiple times, surviving zero dance-offs, and racking up four perfect 40s, including a record-breaking early one for his sizzling Samba in Week 4.

But it’s not just the scores that have made #TeamTimeOfOurLives the people’s champions. It’s the pure, unfiltered joy radiating from every routine – the giggles during training, the fist-pumps after lifts, the way Alexis throws her head back laughing when George inevitably ad-libs something daft.

Their Couple’s Choice in Musicals Week – a contemporary routine to Dirty Dancing’s iconic (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life – was the moment the country fell head over heels. As Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey’s voices soared, George lifted Alexis in THAT famous overhead move – nailing it first time in the live show – while the audience erupted and judge Shirley Ballas wept openly.

‘You two have given us the time of our lives tonight,’ Shirley declared through tears, awarding the first 40 of the series alongside Anton Du Beke. Craig Revel Horwood, usually stingy as Scrooge, called it ‘sensational’. Motsi Mabuse screamed: ‘This is why we do Strictly!’

The routine has since clocked over 10 million views on BBC iPlayer and YouTube, with fans dubbing it ‘the greatest Strictly moment ever’. Even Jennifer Grey herself tweeted: ‘That lift! You’ve done us proud ❤️’

Now, as the final looms, George and Alexis are preparing to perform it again as their ‘Favourite Dance’ – alongside Judges’ Choice Viennese Waltz to Ed Sheeran’s Perfect and a high-octane Showdance to a medley of Grease hits.

Betting odds have George as red-hot favourite to lift the glitterball, thanks to his colossal social media following and the public’s love for an underdog-turned-hero story. Bookies have suspended betting on him winning the public vote, with one spokesperson saying: ‘His fans are mobilising like never before.’

Yet George remains adorably grounded. In a tear-jerking VT this week, he told cameras: ‘I came here knowing nothing. Alexis has changed my life. Win or lose, we’ve had the time of our lives – and I mean that from the bottom of my heart.’

Alexis, in her fifth series and first final, wiped away tears: ‘George is the most hardworking, kindest partner. Watching him grow has been magic. Whatever happens Saturday, we’ve already won.’

Their bond has sparked endless ‘are they/aren’t they?’ rumours – fuelled by cosy Instagram selfies, matching outfits and George calling Alexis ‘my dream girl’ in interviews. But both insist it’s pure friendship: ‘She’s like the big sister I never had,’ George laughed. ‘A very glamorous, very patient big sister.’

Off the floor, they’ve been inseparable – George introducing Alexis to Nando’s (‘her first ever!’), Alexis dragging him to ballet classes, joint TikToks that rack up millions of views, and even a cheeky appearance on George’s channel where they recreated Strictly routines in his mum’s kitchen.

Fans adore their wholesomeness. ‘In a series full of drama, George and Alexis are pure sunshine,’ one wrote. ‘No ego, no tears (except happy ones), just joy.’

They’ve faced stiff competition – Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin’s fiery passion, Karen Carney and Carlos Gu’s elegant precision – but George’s journey from total novice to frontrunner has captivated the nation.

His American Smooth to Fly Me to the Moon in Blackpool – complete with gravity-defying lifts – earned another 40. His Paso Doble in Halloween Week had Craig on his feet. Even his much-memed Cha Cha in Week 1 (‘like a dad at a wedding,’ he joked) is now beloved.

Behind the smiles, it’s been gruelling. George has spoken about blistered feet, 4am starts, and missing home. Alexis has juggled teaching him with her own pro commitments. But they’ve powered through with laughter and lemon & herb sauce.

As Saturday approaches, the emotion is palpable. George’s mum, dad and little sister will be in the audience, along with YouTube pals who’ve flown in to cheer. Alexis’s family are coming from Manchester.

The final kicks off with a spectacular group pro number, then each couple performs their three dances. All decided by public vote – meaning George’s army of young fans could crown him king.

Whatever happens, their legacy is sealed. Clips of their Dirty Dancing lift are already being called ‘iconic in Strictly history’. Children are recreating it in playgrounds. Couples are choosing the song for first dances.

George has teased post-Strictly plans – a dance-themed YouTube series with Alexis, maybe even the live tour (if his schedule allows). ‘I’ll never stop dancing now,’ he promised.

Fans are preparing for tears either way – tears of joy if he wins, tears of sadness that the journey ends.

One viral post sums it up: ‘George and Alexis have had the time of their lives, and honestly? We’ve had the time of ours watching them. Thank you for the magic.’

So here’s to Saturday – tissues at the ready, phones charged for voting, hearts full.

Because win or lose, #TeamTimeOfOurLives have already given us something priceless: pure, unadulterated happiness in glitter-form.

Nobody puts George and Alexis in the corner. They’ve soared straight into Strictly legend.

Tune in BBC One, 7pm Saturday – it’s going to be unforgettable. 💃✨