Fleur East came back to the Strictly dancefloor with a fire in her belly as she wowed judges with her "steamy" performance in the first Argentine Tango of the series which left viewers joking that just watching it had got them pregnant. After being in the dance-off last Sunday, the former X Factor star and her dance partner Vito Coppola took to the stage on Saturday night (October 15) and performed the routine to Paint it Black by Ciara which Craig Revel-Horwood praised as "the dance to beat".
With sizzling atmosphere throughout, the duo oozed chemistry and connection, something that's vital in a dance such as this, and made a sensational comeback which had judge Motsi Mabuse bowled over by the dance. She started of her comments with: "Wow wow wow wow wow", before Motsi - whose sister Oti was previously a professional on the show - knocked over her chair in excitement. She continued: "Yes girl. I have to control myself. I couldn't. Strong. Powerful. Control. You made us wait three dances and a dance off to see that! Congratulations, that was definitely the best!"
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Shirley too, it seemed, got a little hot under the collar after Vito's choreography, as she added: "Well that is the way to come from a dance off. I'm telling you. I wrote so many notes. It was sizzling. It was like a red hot chilli pepper. It was effortless, it was controlled. It had sensuality beyond, beyond. You are your own musical instrument, you just play your own body beautifully."
Following the glowing comments from the esteemed panel, which includes Anton Du Beke who earlier this week won an award for most popular talent show judge at the NTAs, Strictly co-host Tess Daly said: "That's what you call fighting back. High praise doesn't get better!"
After the dance and the incredible comments Fleur, 34, said: "Honestly, it was incredible. This man is amazing to dance with. We really got into the mood. It felt amazing. I think being in the dance-off made me even more grateful to be here. I was like I don't wanna go. I'm just getting started. We're just getting started."
And just like her comments, the judges' results reflected the fire and passion she brought to the dancefloor with her receiving two tens and two nines, coming second on the leaderboard behind Hamza Yassin who achieved 39. And it wasn't just the judges and hosts who found the dance too hot to handle as viewers took to Twitter to voice their thoughts on the pair's fiery footwork.
@RuthieR said: "Wow wow wow Fleur & Vito", while @dancingmoira wrote: "My fav tonight was definitely Fleur - she certainly knows how to have a comeback - beautiful feisty dancing."
@Lorna_TVeditor added: "Fleur and Vito's Argentine Tango was hawwwwwt! This is why we love #Strictly; pure entertainment." Alongside "@PhoenixJo2010 and @Bethmay_parry who comented: "Fleur and Vito’s tango was so hot @MOTSI_MABUSE’s chair exploded!" and "Fleur has come back fighting!"
After being saved by the judges in the dance-off last week, meaning Richie Anderson and Giovanni Pernice were the latest couple to bid farewell to Strictly this year, Fleur posted a message to her Instagram which read: "So grateful to be saved by the judges this week. But so so sad to say goodbye to my friend @iamrichieanderson - thank you so much for your messages of support. We will work harder this week and do our absolute best on the dance floor."
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