Strictly unsurprising! How ALL four finalists have a background in dance or musical theatre (and the less than amateur line-up comes after the public cried 'fix')

  • The 2017 Strictly Come Dancing final will air this weekend
  • Debbie McGee, Gemma Atkinson, Alexandra Burke and Joe McFadden all made it
  • This series has been accused of being a fix, with many stars already trained

After months of grueling training sessions, rumours of romances and rifts, and some highly controversial evictions, Strictly Come Dancing 2017 will take its last bow at the weekend.

And while the results to date may have raised eyebrows among viewers, the final line-up is perhaps no surprise - given that all four celebrities still in the running have had already had some form of professional dance or musical theatre training before signing up for Strictly. 

Alexandra Burke is a pop star who has previously been directed by Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood, Debbie McGee had her own dance school, and Gemma Atkinson and Joe McFadden have both worked in musical threatre - even recently axed contestant Mollie King did tricky choreography with her band-mates while a member of The Saturdays.

The backgrounds of some of the most successful contestants prompted some fans to cry 'fix' as the weeks rolled on. 

Read on for more detail on the finalists' respective paths to the ballroom...  

Alexandra Burke has consistently topped the leaderboard thanks to her natural energy and dedication to the show

Alexandra Burke has consistently topped the leaderboard thanks to her natural energy and dedication to the show

ALEXANDRA BURKE: CHOREOGRAPHED BY JUDGE CRAIG IN THE WEST END

Alexandra Burke, 29, consistently topped the leaderboard and became the first celebrity of the season to score a 10 with her energetic jive to Proud Mary in week four.

But it's little wonder the Islington-born singer has had such success in the ballroom - thanks to the extensive training she has undergone both as a pop act and a West End star.

Alexandra had existing links to Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood, who directed and choreographed her during her stint playing Deloris Van Cartier in the UK tour of the stage show Sister Act.

Fans were outraged when they found out, with some arguing that their history of collaborating 'devalues' the competition.

The singer was trained for the UK touring production of Sister Act by Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood

The singer was trained for the UK touring production of Sister Act by Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood

DEBBIE MCGEE: A TRAINED BALLERINA 

Debbie McGee was a trained ballet dancer and even set up her own ballet school, though she claims this didn't give her an advantage

Debbie McGee was a trained ballet dancer and even set up her own ballet school, though she claims this didn't give her an advantage

Debbie McGee, 59, known for being the wife and glamorous assistant of the late magician Paul Daniels, has defend herself against suggestions the odds were stacked in her favour on Strictly. 

She danced with the Iranian National Ballet in the 1970s and even established her own company, Ballet Imaginaire.

But the star rubbished claims that she was too experienced to compete on the show, arguing that ballet and ballroom demand entirely different skill sets.

She even claimed her dance training was a setback, pointing out: 'That training in a way is a disadvantage because the muscles were trained differently. I haven't done that for over 30 years.'

GEMMA ATKINSON: WEST END EXPERIENCE 

Gemma Atkinson has had theatre training and appeared in Calendar Girls in the West End

Gemma Atkinson has had theatre training and appeared in Calendar Girls in the West End

Gemma Atkinson, 33, made her name as a soap star in Hollyoaks and Emmerdale, and also enjoyed a career covering the front of lads mags in the mid 2000s.

But Gemma has had her fair share of musical theatre experience too, having chalked up roles in Calendar Girls and This is How it Goes in the West End. 

She also appeared in Soapstar Superstar, and won a place in the final four.

JOE MCFADDEN: BACKGROUND IN MUSICAL THEATRE

Joe McFadden has also enjoyed a career in the theatre starring in musicals like Rent and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Joe McFadden has also enjoyed a career in the theatre starring in musicals like Rent and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Holby City star Joe McFadden, 42, has been something of a dark horse in this year's competition - and wowed viewers and judges alike with jaw-dropping lift routine last weekend.

But his hot-stepping skills won't have come as a surprise to fans who have followed his career from the start.

The actor has trodden the boards in musical theatre, appearing in all singing and dancing productions of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Rent, which includes a tango scene.

His experience has seen viewers brand his success on the show a 'fix'. He's a favourite going into the weekend's final. 

MailOnline has contacted the BBC and is awaiting comment.