Norwegian pop artist Martinus Gunnarsen and professional dancer Paulina Rosenkvist won the 20th season of Sweden’s «Let’s dance» on Friday evening, October 9, 2026, after a grueling final that followed weeks of injuries and intense competition on TV4.
The finale brought together four pairs on the dance floor after an elimination round that quickly narrowed the field. Alongside Gunnarsen and Rosenkvist, the remaining finalists included influencer Lisa Borg, TikTok personality Ludwig Blomqvist, and Swedish YouTuber Lovisa Laki
Karlsson, according to broadcaster coverage. Borg and Blomqvist saw their journey end after the initial round of the evening, where participants performed a dance previously featured earlier in the season to demonstrate their progress.
The Final Showdown Against Lovisa Karlsson
The decisive duel came down to Gunnarsen and Karlsson, who each performed a final showcase number for the judges and viewers at home. Both acts earned strong praise from the judging panel, with Gunnarsen securing 39 out of 40 points for his quickstep revanschedans earlier in the night. When the jury points were tallied and the audience votes were counted, the victory went to the Norwegian artist and his partner.
I think I am the one who has worked the hardest. I’ve been here and practically lived in the «Let’s Dance» studio to make sure all the dances turned out well. Martinus
Speaking during the live broadcast on TV4, Gunnarsen expressed exhaustion and relief after months of preparation. “I couldn’t have worked harder than I have, so I am very satisfied,” he said, adding that winning proved hard work pays off.
He also revealed plans to commemorate the win by getting a tattoo of the trophy, which is shaped like a dancing shoe. Earlier in the semifinal round, five pairs had competed before Gunnarsen and Rosenkvist secured their spot alongside competitors including Ida Amy Sund, a former professional dancer from the Norwegian program «Skal vi danse» who joined the cast this season.
Overcoming Broken Ribs and Knee Injuries Before the Finale
The road to the trophy was far from smooth. Just days before the final, Rosenkvist broke a rib during a rehearsal lift. Despite the severe pain, the professional dancer refused to withdraw from the competition, forcing the pair to hastily alter their choreography and aerial routines.
The physical toll extended to the singer as well. Hours before Friday’s broadcast, Rosenkvist shared a photo on Instagram showing Gunnarsen with a heavily bandaged knee after sustaining an injury during practice. Program press representative Anna Lundkvist confirmed to Expressen that the artist hurt his knee but that he was doing well enough to perform.
Support From International Fans and Fellow Norwegian Competitors
Gunnarsen had plenty of backing in the audience, including two devoted supporters who traveled 30 hours from Ukraine to attend the final. Mia and Alina, who connected through the music of Marcus and Martinus, called the trip a dream come true.
The pop star was not the only Norwegian competitor in this milestone season of the Swedish dance program. Cross-country skiing star Petter Northug also participated, reaching the quarterfinals before being eliminated two weeks prior to the final. Northug later praised his time on the show as a memory for a lifetime. For Gunnarsen, the victory adds another Swedish television trophy to his resume, following his win in the Swedish version of Masked Singer alongside his twin brother Marcus in 2022.