Competition is fiercer than ever as the remaining eight Strictly Come Dancing couples head to the legendary Blackpool Tower ballroom for week nine of the series.
The show is usually held in the Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire. But for one week each year, the show moves up north to the Tower Ballroom in Blackpool – an iconic and historical dancing venue.
It also marks a stage when the competition ramps up as the weaker dancers have typically been eliminated from the series.
Blackpool Week follows last week’s elimination of X Factor star Shayne Ward and his partner Nancy Xu, who faced singer Wynne Evans and pro partner Katya Jones in the dance-off.
Elsewhere, JB Gill and Lauren Oakley –who has stepped in for Amy Dowden who left the competition due to injury – and Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec, held their position at the top of the leaderboard for the second week running.
Meanwhile, Pete Wicks stole hearts with a Couple’s Choice dance dedicated to his late grandma, Doreen, who died in 2022.
KEY POINTS
Emotional meaning behind Sarah’s Couple’s Choice
19:46 , Rachel McGrath
The Miranda actress became tearful as she explained the meaning behind her (phenomenal) Couple’s Choice in her VT.
Here’s what she said…
Strictly’s Sarah Hadland in tears as she explains meaning behind Couples Choice dance
Pete’s scores are in…
19:44 , Rachel McGrath
He’s received a 4 from Craig. Ouch! A 7 and two 8s give Pete a total of 27 — meaning he’s now bottom of the leaderboard.
Shirley is lost for words
19:40 , Rachel McGrath
She’s in stitches. “You had a very clean neckline,” she told Pete, struggling for words. “Your hips were swinging from left to right… It was very entertainining, I don’t think I’m going to forget this evening for as long as I live.”
Pete’s too sexy for his shirt
19:39 , Rachel McGrath
Pete’s Couple’s Choice impressed the judges and saw him land joint third place on the leaderboard last week (by far his best finish). And now, after such an emotional performance last week, he’s doing a Cha Cha to “I’m Too Sexy”. God, I love this show.
This routine is quite simple fo this stage in the competition but you know what, it is one of the campest things I’ve ever seen and that surely deserves some extra points. Also, what are they doing with the pink fur coat after this week because I would quite like to own it.
Wynne’s scores are in…
19:34 , Rachel McGrath
It’s a 7 from Craig and 8s from Motsi, Shirley and Anton, giving him a total of 31.
Craig gives his verdict on Wynne’s swivel
19:32 , Rachel McGrath
“It was very flat-footed,” he said. “Your swivel was actually ok to start with, the left foot doesn’t work by the way, but you were getting there. What you lacked in technique, you made up for in entertainment.”
I think Wynne is going to need a fair few votes from viewers to make it through to next week.
Wynne’s up next with a Charleston
19:30 , Rachel McGrath
I do love a Blackpool Week Charleston.
Wynne was second from the bottom of the leaderboard last week and almost left the competition after a tightly fought dance off against Shayne Ward.
He needed to pull something special out of the bag tonight and that was certainly quite something, though there were a few mistakes and it seems the Charleston isn’t necessarily Wynne’s dance. Did he master the swivel? I’m not 100% sure and will defer to Craig on this one…
Sarah’s scores are in…
19:25 , Rachel McGrath
A 9 from Craig and 10s across the board give Sarah a total of 39, putting her top of the leaderboard (for now at least!).
Sarah performs a Couple’s Choice
19:23 , Rachel McGrath
A Couple’s Choice to Padam Padam? This is the dance I’ve been looking forward to most tonight and, quite frankly, what I pay my license fee for.
That was absolutely sensational. Sarah looks stunning and she was brimming with confidence.
Craig’s critique has the audience in stitches. “That’s my only gripe… it was a little bit too perfect,” he said. “It lacked attitude in those still moments to bring you out of the crowd.” I’m guessing his 10 paddle will remain untouched.
The other judges have heaped praise on the routine though, Shirley says it’s Sarah’s best dance yet and Motsi has labelled her “iconic”.
“You had perfect timing, you had perfect co-ordination,” said Anton. “It was extraordinary.”
Montell’s scores are in…
19:15 , Rachel McGrath
She’s received an 8 and three 9s, for a total of 35 — making it the highest scored Salsa of the series.
The judges are (mostly) loving Montell’s Salsa
19:13 , Rachel McGrath
“I mean… I just kept on saying ‘woah’,” Motsi said. “[You’re] the biggest showgirl ever tonight. You looked so at ease with so much joy, your improvement has been consistant, that was amazing.”
Shirley has paid the ultimate compliment: “You looked like one of the professionals to me.”
And Craig? “I felt like you needed to engage your body a little more,” he said. “It needed to be a little more seamless than it was. But all that being said, you have the most incredible rhytym and you sell a number 100%.”
Montell and Johannes perform a Salsa
19:10 , Rachel McGrath
Montell has been consistently improving as the series has gone along, clearly taking on the judges’ comments and loving every second she has on the dancefloor with Johannes.
Last week, they ended up joint third on the leaderboard and have started to look like they could be in with a place in the final.
This is a really fun Salsa. Montell and Johannes both look amazing, the Gladiators star has a lot of natural rhythm and she’s totally unfazed by dancing solo, away from her partner.
Montell’s up next
19:08 , Rachel McGrath
I know the Strictly VTs are divisive but I personally adore them and these Blackpool ones are great. Johannes is bingo calling for goodness sake, what’s not to love?
Chris’s scores are in…
19:05 , Rachel McGrath1
Going along the panel, he’s landed an 8, a 9 and two 10s, for a total of 37. Amazing!
Emotions are already running high, and Dianne is in tears at their brilliant score.
Judges’ verdict on Chris’s performance
19:02 , Rachel McGrath
They’re impressed! Shirley said: “Only the bets feet belong on this floor, and your feet were the best feet I’ve seen in a long time. Your grace, your beauty…. you did not miss a beat. That was phenomenal.”
“This is the number I wish I’d danced,” Anton said. “The style, the tailsuit, your movement was exemplary. If anything can beat this tonight, I’ll be amazed.”
You can always count on Craig to bring the vibe down though. He said: “I thought you were slightly ahead getting in the line-up, your arm extensions could do with some finesse. It lacked any swing or sway but your frame, I have to say, has improved beyond compare and you did that dance justice.”
“I just want to say what a way to open the show,” Motsi added. “This was a statement. This was beautiful dancing.”
Chris is opening the show
18:59 , Rachel McGrath
Chris and Dianne’s beautiful Couple’s Choice kept them in the competiton last week and tonight, they’re dancing the American Smooth and opening the show.
As you’ll see with all the dances this week, extra dancers are involved which, as Dianne explained in the VT, is especially challenging for Chris.
What a way to open the show, though. That was properly brilliant, a super stylish performance with a big band number, plenty of impressive lifts and fireworks to finish. We’re off to a brilliant start.
Pet Shop Boys open the show with a medley
18:49 , Rachel McGrath
The Pet Shop Boys are brilliant aren’t they? They never let you down and I can’t think of an act more suited to kicking off the Strictly Blackpool special. The ballroom looks stunning and I think every shred of silver fabric in the country is currently on this stage and dancefloor.
Here we go…
18:45 , Rachel McGrath
I hope you’ve got some sequins on — it’s time for Blackpool week!
There are eight couples left in the competition and tonight, they’re dancing in the iconic ballroom. Every couple will be upping their game (and hoping they can keep a handle on their nerves). We’re still yet to see a 40 this series — could Craig finally reach for the 10 paddle? Stay tuned to find out.
15 minutes to go
18:30 , Rachel McGrath
This is your 15-minute warning! Get your sparkles on and pop open the prosecco (or put the kettle on). It’s almost time for the Strictly Blackpool special.
Amy Dowden ‘gutted’ to be missing Blackpool Week of competition
17:18 , Lydia Spencer-Elliott
Amy Dowden has admitted she’s deeply disappointed not to be performing in Blackpool.
The professional dancer was forced to quit this year’s Strictly series due to injury, which is the second time she has been prevented from dancing in the competition as a result of health complications.
Speaking to Christine Lampard on Lorraine, Dowden said: “It’s the goal, everyone wants to make it to Blackpool there’s something so special in there. I’m just so gutted I won’t be dancing there this weekend.”
She continued: “It’s definitely not the way I wanted it but I’m so proud of JB, Lauren’s doing a great job. Obviously I planned the series for him to have his best numbers towards the end to get him to that final as he’s so talented.
Dowden added: “I’ve seen the quickstep, everyone’s in for a treat, I think there’s more tens coming!”
Read more here:
Strictly star Amy Dowden’s health journey as she’s forced to exit competition
Strictly pro predicts couples who will be in the bottom two after Blackpool performances
16:13 , Lydia Spencer-Elliott
Hours ahead of Blackpool week former Strictly star Ola Jordan has predicted which celebrity is most likely to leave the competition this weekend.
“I think Wynne and Montell will be in the bottom two this weekend, or Wynne and possibly Jamie,” Jordan said in a new interview with Mecca Bingo.
Evans and his pro partner Katya Jones survived the dance-off when they faced Shayne Ward and his partner Nancy Xu last week. For week nine, they will perform a Charleston to “Carmen Suite No. 1: 5. Les toréadors” by George Bizet.
Jordan continued: “I don’t think Pete Wicks will be in the bottom two yet, but he’s got a tricky dance so he might not do that well. I’m still thinking he’s going to get votes though so for me, Wynne and Montell or Wynne and Jamie will be in the bottom two this weekend.”
What is the most successful Blackpool week dance?
15:13 , Lydia Spencer-Elliott
In the history of Strictly’s Blackpool Week, the Quickstep has been the highest scoring dance with 22 10s awarded suring the series’ 20 year long run.
Meanwhile, the American Smooth comes in second for points with 15 10s and in third place is the Charleston with 13 10s.
There have only been five couples to ever score a perfect 40 at Blackpool: Fleur East and Vito Coppola in 2022, Danny Mac and Oti Mabuse in 2016, Harry Judd and Aliona Vilani and Jason Donovan and Kristina Rihanoff in 2011.
After scoring the first 10s of the season and topping the Strictly leaderboard for multiple consecutive weeks, Love Island’s Tasha Ghouri is this year’s favourite to be awarded a perfect score.
Nancy Xu calls out Strictly judges for treatment of Shayne Ward after shock exit
15:01 , Lydia Spencer-Elliott
Strictly Come Dancing pro Nancy Xu has called out the show’s judges what she deemed to be “unfair” treatment of her celebrity partner Shayne Ward after his surprise exit.
Ward’s time on the series started in a rocky manner after he received criticism for appearing “overconfident” in the first episode.
His departure from the series arrived in equally controversial fashion; the result was the first split decision between the judges so far this series.
Xu wrote in a lengthy Instagram post:“I’m so sorry that the whole journey you received criticised seems more than you should, and people forget that you are coming from zero! To put up every Saturday night show like you did, you should deserve something better! [sic].”
Read more below:
Strictly pro isn’t happy with how judges treated Shayne Ward
Songs and dances revealed for Blackpool week
14:49 , Lydia Spencer-Elliott
For Blackpool Week, Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell will dance an American Smooth to “Jump” by Paul Anka while Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola will dance a Couple’s Choice to “Padam Padam” by Kylie Minogue.
Meanwhile, Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe will dance a Salsa to “Don’t Leave Me This Way” by Kylie Minogue, and Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec will dance a Paso Doble to “Torn” by Nathan Lanier.
For a the full list of songs and dances, read more below:
Strictly Come Dancing reveals songs and dances for Blackpool week