Halloween night can often be a bumpy ride for the Strictly Come Dancing contestants but one pairing weren't scared ahead of the results. Former Arsenal defender Tony Adams and professional Katya Jones notched up their highest scoring of the season.
Starting the competition for the evening, Tony and Katya performed a quickstep to The Devil Went Down to Georgia by The Charlie Daniels Band. The ex-England international donned a satanic red get-up for the performance.
While the celebrity appeared a little heavy-footed at times, and didn't completely nail his timings, the judges were left ultimately pleased with their performance. Judge Anton Du Beke – dubbed “Phantom Du Beke” for the night – said: “You are unrecognisable. It is very easy to get stuck in a situation perceived to not be the best dancer on the show doing tricks.
“Don’t worry, I have been down that road. But that’s not you. You are a proper dancer, this was a proper dance. Keep it up, I loved it.”
While head judge Shirley Ballas said: “I’m absolutely in shock. Your footwork was lovely and light. You kept a lovely frame, you have absolutely shocked me.”
Craig Revel Horwood, dressed as Morticia Addams, said: “Welcome to the ballroom, darling. Style, story, technique – I think you’ve actually found your dance, brilliant.”
And Strictly Come Dancing fans were all in agreement about Tony's improved performance. @hulme_steph said: "Tonight was Tony's best dance yet. It just proves that non-dancers can be dancers especially when Katya's your pro dancer."
@a11yy_46 said: "Oh my God who would have expected this from Tony in week 1?! Katya is such a genius for reaching him that well."
Elsewhere, judges said former Hear’Say singer Kym Marsh was “back on form”, scoring 34 with her rumba to Frozen by Madonna. While Kiss FM DJ Tyler West and Dianne Buswell scored 35 - including a 10 - for their cha cha cha to Day-O (The Banana Boat Song) by Tanz Orchester Klaus Hallen as did Ellie T and Johannes Radebe with I Put A Spell On You by Bette Midler Sarah Jessica Parker & Kathy Najimy
Meanwhile EastEnders star James Bye performed a lift he had not been able to nail during dress run for his Charleston to Bumble Bee by LaVern Baker. Professional partner Amy Dowden, dressed as a bee, celebrated after the dance saying: “I’m buzzing. Up until dress run, one of those lifts actually didn’t happen. He did such a good job.”
The pair however ended up in the bottom of the judge's scoring alongside Olympian Ellie Simmonds and Nikita Kuzmin who scored 29 for their foxtrot to the theme from Scooby Doo.
- Strictly Come Dancing's results show will air on BBC One at 7.20pm tomorrow night (October 30). Missed an episode? Catch up now on BBC iplayer.
