The final five heading into the grand final on Dancing With The Stars was revealed on Sunday night following a brutal triple elimination.
Sent packing were fan favourites Ben Cousins, Adam Dovile and Shane Crawford.
That leaves Lisa McCune, Ant Middleton, James Stewart, Nikki Osborne and Samantha Jade to fight it out in Monday’s finale.
Footballer Shane was gracious in defeat, profusely thanking his professional dance partner Ash-Leigh Hunter.
‘It’s been a wonderful experience. Ash is an incredible coach’ Shane said once he was eliminated.
He also paid tribute to his co-stars, saying, ‘it’s gonna be a magnificent final’ and suggesting Ant may win.
Adam was likewise happy for his fellow dancers and grateful to his competition partner Jess Raffa.
‘I’m feeling good and I’ve had an absolute ball’ Shane said, adding that he had to give ‘a massive thanks to Jess.’
The final five heading into the grand final on Dancing With The Stars was revealed on Sunday night following a brutal triple elimination. Nikki Osborne (right) is safe and heading for finals
Ben meanwhile admitted that he found the process exhausting – but he wouldn’t change a thing.
‘This week at training, I was finishing the day whispering. I was that tired, I was just whispering. I’ve loved it’ the former footballer said.
Like the others, Ben had nothing but kind words for his dance partner Siobhan Power.
The athlete also compared the show to his time on the field during his football career.
Adam Dovile (right) was sent home a
Sent packing was fan favourite Ben Cousins (pictured)
Shane Crawford (left) was also eliminated
‘You get this one shot at it when you come out to perform. But it’s been a good challenge’ Ben explained.
The five grand finalists stunned in their semi final routines with Samantha and Lisa both scoring a near perfect 39 out of 40.
Judge Sharna Burgess was blown away, commenting it was ‘phenomenal, you two are setting the bar.’
Lisa blitzed Viennese Waltz, equalling Samantha’s score, with judge Helen Richey saying Lisa made the dance look easy!
Meanwhile, James secured his grand final spot after a dance off with Adam and Shane.
Nikki performed a jubilant Quickstep, with all four judges commenting on her significant improvement throughout the season, before awarding her 34 points for her performance.
Lisa McCune (left) has advanced to the finals
Samantha Jade (left) will fight it out in Monday’s finale
Ant Middleton (pictured) gave it his all and lived to battle another day
James Stewart (pictured) raised the dead and will be back for the finale
Ant tapped into his intimate side scoring 37 points for his vulnerable contemporary routine.
James scored an impressive 35 points as he raised the dead with his riveting Paso Doble.
Shane meanwhile landed his Victorian era Quickstep with aplomb, receiving a total score of 30.
Adam stunned with a sensual Rumba, where his dance partner Jess Raffa exclaimed: ‘I’ve never been able to dance like that before on the show. I just let go. I could shut my eyes and he’s such a good leader.’
Ben admitted that he found the process exhausting – but he wouldn’t change a thing. ‘This week at training, I was finishing the day whispering. I was that tired. I’ve loved it’ he said
Ben gave it his all with an intense Argentine Tango, but a score of 17 saw him eliminated from the competition before Adam, Shane and James battled it out to compete in the dance off.
In the end, it was James who secured the coveted final place after impressing with his Charleston.
On Monday, Lisa McCune, Ant Middleton, James Stewart, Nikki Osborne and Samantha Jade will battle it out for the coveted Mirror Ball Trophy.
Dancing With The Stars continues tomorrow 7.30pm on Channel 7 and 7plus