Strictly Come Dancing is nearing its final stages, and the celebs performed in the BBC show’s quarter final on Saturday.
The five remaining couples were back for Musicals Week after last week’s emotional elimination of ER and Doctor Who star Alex Kingston and her professional partner Johannes Radebe, who many believed to quit the show in his exit speech.
Kingston’s departure meant that EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal survived the dance off for the fifth time this series.
The other remaining stars in the competition are Amber Davies - who topped the leaderboard with 40 after her Charleston - and Karen Carney, who delivered a samba to a track from Sweet Charity.
George Clarke wowed the judges as he opened the show with a Phantom of the Opera-themed Argentine Tango and Lewis Cope closed proceedings with a West Side Story salsa.
Musicals Week also included an extra special performance from one of the West End’s latest additions, Paddington Bear.
Strictly 2025 will conclude on 21 December.
Follow along below for all the live updates
Strictly updates
- Final themed week of the 2025 series revealed
- Who are the final five?
- Emotional Balvinder Sopal hugged by judge Motsi Mabuse
- Amber Davies lands another perfect score
Musicals Week!
10:46 , Jacob StolworthyIt’s the last themed week of the 2025 series – and it’s a celebration of the stage.
Tonight’s episode will be a musicals extravaganza, with the final five performing to songs from the world of the West End and Broadway.
Who are the final five?
10:47 , Jacob StolworthyBalvinder Sopal, Lewis Cope, Karen Carney, Amber Davies and George Clarke are the remaining celebs duking it out to make it through to next week’s semi-finals.
Relay dance to kick off tonight's episode
10:51 , Jacob StolworthyThis weekend's Strictly will give the dancers an extra chance to dazzle viewers.
The episode will open with a five-minute performance that’ll see each pair dance to the below songs, backed with additional dancers:
Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin – “Trip a Little Light Fantastic” from Mary Poppins Returns
Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon – “With a Little Bit of Luck” from My Fair Lady
George Clarke and Alexis Warr - “Consider Yourself” from Oliver!
Karen Carney and Carlos Gu – “Flash Bang Wallop” from Half a Sixpence
Lewis Cope and Katya Jones – “Me Ol' Bamboo” from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Paddington to cameo
11:03 , Jacob StolworthyTonight’s episode will feature a cameo appearance from none other than Paddington, who’ll feature during a performance from Tom Fletcher.
The McFly star has written lyrics for a new West End musical based on the fictional bear.
What time is Strictly on tonight?
12:08 , Greg EvansAs with the ever-changing Strictly schedule, tonight’s show is on at a slightly different time tonight.
The starts on BBC One at 6:50 pm and finishes at 8:05.
Strictly viewers convinced pro dancer Johannes quit series in results show
13:00 , Greg EvansStrictly Come Dancing viewers are convinced Johannes Radebe is leaving the series after an emotional moment in last week’s episode.
On Sunday night’s results show, the professional dancer’s celebrity partner Alex Kingston was voted off the show.
When Radebe, 38, thanked the ER and Doctor Who actor, he also appeared to say farewell to the show, stating: “Goodbye to my Strictly family.”
“Thank you because I’ve never grinned as much in my life as I have in the last couple of weeks. Thank you, Alex, for being a trooper. I appreciate the laughs. I will hold on to the memories. As far as the dancing goes, I think we’ve achieved what we wanted to achieve.
When Kingston said, “And these memories are just the beginning for us,” Radebe replied: “You can say that again.”
Strictly viewers convinced popular pro quit series in results show
George Clarke admits Strictly is perfect excuse to ditch social plans with friends
14:01 , Luke ReeveyAmy Dowden hints at Strictly return after second mastectomy
15:02 , Greg EvansStrictly Come Dancing confirms next two celebrities for live tour
16:01 , Greg EvansModel Ellie Goldstein and Geordie Shore star Vicky Pattison are confirmed to join the Strictly Come Dancing live tour, reuniting with professional partners Vito Coppola and Kai Widdrington.
Goldstein, 23, made history this year as the first celebrity with Down’s syndrome to compete on the BBC One dancing show, becoming the fifth contestant eliminated.
Pattison, meanwhile, saw her journey end on her birthday, a week before the Blackpool specials.
Strictly Come Dancing confirms next two celebrities for live tour
Strictly Come Dancing’s chaotic Instant Dance challenge deserves to be a permanent fixture
17:00 , Greg EvansStrictly Come Dancing bosses made the rare move of trying something new on Saturday night - and it worked, writes Rachel McGrath
Strictly’s Instant Dance challenge was pure chaos – and deserves to stay
Strictly 2025 leaderboard: Scores from week 10 of the competition
18:00 , Greg EvansDue to La Voix having to retire from the series during Blackpool week, the last episode saw the contestants were scored for their performances over two weeks, as well as their Instant Dance score.
Overall, Lewis and Katya topped the leaderboard with 82 points but they were pushed close by Karen and Carlos who scored 80 overall.
Here’s a reminder of last week’s leaderboard:
Strictly 2025 leaderboard: Scores from week 10 of the competition
Curtain up!
18:53 , Rachel McGrathIt's Musicals Week! We're down to the final five, who will each be performing routines from West End, Broadway and big screen faves such as The Greatest Showman, Phantom of the Opera and West Side Story.
The remaining celebrities and their partners are also opening the show with a special 'dance relay' which, to be honest, sounds a little bit confusing. So we'll see how that goes!
So this is the dance relay! It’s basically a professional performance with the celebs in it too? Which is nice, if a little unnecessary...
So this is the dance relay! It’s basically a professional performance with the celebs in it too? Which is nice, if a little unnecessary...
George opens the show
19:06 , Rachel McGrathWhat a great pick for George. He's opening the show with an Argentine Tango to "The Point of No Return" from The Phantom of the Opera.
This is brilliant - there’s plenty of chemistry between George and Alexis, brilliant storytelling and the lifts are sensational. I’m a fan.
George praised for intensity and power
19:12 , Rachel McGrathWhat a way to start the show!
Here are the judges’ comments for George...
Motsi: “I just have to give Alexis a compliment - you were flying in the air. I think that you could only do such type of movement if you trust your partner, if you have someone with such strong partnering skills. I love the characterisation. I loved the energy in that. Well done, guys.”
Shirley: “I like this side of you, the seriousness, the precision of leading. I agree with Motsi, Alexis being able to do what she did is down to George being in control of what he was doing. I really enjoyed it. What a great start to the night.”
Anton: “I was taken aback by your intensity at the beginning. This is the George I really enjoy. You had intensity and your partnering is your greatest skill. I loved it, I want more of this, please. Thank you, George.”
Craig: “I thought the footwork was a little untidy. It was sticky from step to step. I would have liked to see more of an A-frame. I think you handled the music particularly well. The lifts were absolutely excellent, you had power, control and drama.”
George’s scores are... 8, 9, 9 and 9 - a total of 35.
Karen sambas into Musicals Week
19:16 , Rachel McGrathAfter scoring a 40 for her Couple's Choice last week, Karen is performing the dreaded samba.
The routine to set to "The Rhythm of Life" from Sweet Charity, which means it’s time for some Fosse. Karen and Carlos are doing great but this feels like a niche choice in a lot of ways? I’m not sure how it’ll land with viewers.
Karen spins into the judges' good books
19:23 , Rachel McGrathHere are the judges’ comments for Karen...
Shirley: “I personally loved the whole production of it. Your sense of balance is off the chart. Your spins, your chemistry together... you had the bounce, you attempted the shadow roll. All in all, you are quite the force to be reckoned with.”
Anton: “If you’re going to do a samba, this is exactly the one - choose Musicals Week and throw everything at it. You missed his hand on the spin but you spun anyway. You did a thing at the end and you were on the same foot but I didn’t mind, because it went so well. I just loved, loved, loved it.”
Craig: “I think that will relieve everyone of their winter blues. For me, it was too busy and I thought you were trying to keep up with it. Also, a bit stiff in the body.”
Motsi: “One spin here was absolutely sensational. You really attacked that dance. The conviction of you doing every single rhythm in there... Your solo spots were so so strong. You were convincing.”
They’re busting out all the special messages tonight too! George got one from Andrew Lloyd Webber earlier and now Karen has one from Ian Wright.
Karen’s scores are... 8, 8, 9 and 9 - a total of 34.
Dance-off Queen Balvinder performs a Viennese waltz
19:28 , Rachel McGrathBalvinder and Julian are up next - and I bet the Queen of the Dance-off never imagined she'd make it to the final five.
Balvinder survived the bottom two yet again last week, with Alex leaving the competition.
Tonight, the EastEnders star is performing a Viennese waltz to "Never Enough" from The Greatest Showman. They both look the part and this is lovely... and it’s built to a nice ending with fireworks! Not bad at all but it’s definitely not on the same level as the two other dances we’ve seen so far tonight.
Emotional Balvinder hugged by judge Motsi
19:35 , Rachel McGrathHere are the judges’ comments for Balvinder...
Anton: “I love you more than ever now. This was epic. Making an entrance is everything and as you walked on, you looked absolutely stunning. You brought everybody in, it was an exquisite beginning. This is a huge song and I would have been enormously disappointed if you’d crept around the floor but you bombed. You danced with a freedom that I’ve only seen in your Instant Dance.”
Craig: “I had a problem with your arms, they need to extend from your body. Your left shoulder sometimes was raising up. On the final lift, you were a little bit sickled. But it had flow, feeling, emotion. You are a fighter.”
Motsi: “You were in a different type of feeling and I felt like whatever you wanted to say came out through that dance. What you have been through must be demoralising but for me...”
Aw - Balvinder is in tears! And Motsi has come down to give her a hug.
Shirley: “You will always be a hero for me. Coming back to dance that kind of performance, I have chills.”
Balvinder’s scores are in... 8, 9, 9 and 9 - a total of 35.
Amber and Nikita pull off lift-packed Charleston
19:41 , Rachel McGrathIt's Charleston time! This is easily the dance I've been most excited for this week.
Amber and Nikita - fresh from receiving a 40 last week - are performing to "Sit Down, You're Rockin' The Boat" from Guys and Dolls. They’ve started with an outfit reveal (love). And Amber’s Charleston steps are as flawless as you’d expect. She’s also been flung into the air by ensemble dancers multiple times. Surely this is getting at least one 10.
Amber lands another perfect score
19:46 , Rachel McGrathMotsi’s on her feet!
Here are the judges’ comments for Amber...
Craig: “The swivels were perfect, the timing was flawless, darling. An absolute sensation.”
Motsi: “I have never seen anything like that. One word: perfection.”
Shirley: “Destined for the West End with a number like that. You Amber, are an absolute star in every sense of the word. Everything you did was fantastic.”
Anton: “There’s nothing left to say. This was so brilliant. I don’t think I’ve seen anything like this. It would be very difficult to find a dance better than this, ever. So brilliant. My only disappointment is I can’t give you 25.”
Amber’s scores are... 10, 10, 10 and another 10 - it’s a 40! Hugely well deserved.
Lewis closes the show
19:50 , Rachel McGrathLewis and Katya are performing a salsa to "Dance at the Gym" from West Side Story, which I am so unbelievably here for but it does feel like a niche choice.
Something is not quite clicking here for me? And I can’t tell what it is? Now they’re dancing separately with the backing dancers and it’s got a lot better but that opening felt weird. Again - some sensational lifts. It will be interesting to see what the judges made of it.
Lewis divides the judges - but still scores high
19:56 , Rachel McGrathHere are the judges' comments for Lewis...
Motsi: “Wow, wow. You pushed it physically, there was so much content in this dance. You were always the star. You did a great job.”
Shirley: “It wasn’t your best dance for me, by far. There were missed connections. You looked a little bit tight. While you were dancing, you needed to exhale. Was it fantastic? Yes. Was it your best? No. But there was a lot to like.”
Anton: “The characterisation was amazing. The side-by-side stuff was strong. The partnering stuff needed a bit more nuance. But all in all, I rather liked it.”
Craig: “The basic salsa, I thought, was a little bit square. The footwork was slightly turned in at times which doesn’t help it. Things weren’t finished in this.”
Here are the judges’ comments for Lewis... 8, 9, 9 and 9 - that’s a total of 35.
Tonight’s show is ending with a special guest.
Closing the show, it’s Tom Fletcher from McFly and... Paddington Bear! This is to plug the new Paddington musical that’s just opened in the West End, which Tom wrote.
The musical’s producers kept this Paddington under wraps until the show opened a couple of weeks ago - and it really is something.
The vote is open!
20:00 , Rachel McGrathAnd there’s only half an hour to back your faves so go, go, go!
Balvinder's emotional moment
20:16 , Rachel McGrathThe EastEnders star was overwhelmed as the judges heaped praise on her for surviving so many dance-offs...
Strictly star breaks down in tears when praised after ‘demoralising’ experience
That’s it from me - I’ll see you next for the semi-final!
Tune in to the results show tomorrow at 7.45pm to find out who leaves the competition.
