The Strictly Come Dancing final is just two weeks away and the remaining six pairs gave Musicals Week their all with the hopes of making it to next Saturday’s semifinal.
JB Gill and Lauren Oakley topped the leaderboard for the second week running thanks to their Viennese Waltz to “Let’s Go Fly a Kite” from Mary Poppins. Second place was tied with both Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec, and Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola landing 38 points for their routines.
But it was another of the remaning couples who had fans talking on social media.
Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell danced a phenomenal Quickstep to “You’re The Top” from Anything Goes, but their score of 32 (putting them first from bottom on the leaderboard) left many fans claiming the duo had been undermarked.
Elsewhere, Sarah Hadland opened the show with a lift-packed Charleston and the judges got into the Musicals Week spirit with impressive costumes. Shirley Ballas’s truly has to be seen to be believed.
Another celebrity will leave the competition on Sunday (1 December) night’s results show, which airs on BBC One at 7.20pm.
Follow the show has it happened below.
Strictly Come Dancing Week 11
- Judges transform for Musicals Week — with Shirley Ballas as Mrs Trunchbull
- Sarah Hadland wows with lift-packed Charleston
- Pete Wicks alludes to criticism
- JB closes the show with a ‘practically perfect’ Viennese Waltz
- Chris McCausland’s score sparks debate
Strictly viewers slam ‘absolute joke’ elimination: ‘How did that man get through?’
12:46 , Greg EvansStrictly fans have argued that The Only Way is Essex star Pete Wicks should have ended up in the dance-off over Montell Douglas or Jamie Borthwick.
“Ain’t no way Jamie deserved to be in the bottom this week, he was absolutely brilliant,” one viewer said. “Sometimes the British public get it SO wrong and this is one of those times.”
”What?! Pete is safe and Montell and Jamie in the dance-off. Absolute joke!” another fan said.
”Gonna need Pete fans to put the phone down cause WHY is Montell in the dance-off twice in a row and that man gets through???” one fan raged.
Strictly viewers slam ‘absolute joke’ elimination: ‘How did that man get through?’
The songs and dances that the remaining celebrities and their partners will be performing in “Musicals Week” have been confirmed for tonight’s show.
They are as follows:
- Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell – Quickstep to “You’re The Top” from Anything Goes
- JB Gill and Lauren Oakley – Viennese Waltz to “Let’s Go Fly A Kite” from Mary Poppins
- Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe – Rumba to “I’m Here” from The Color Purple
- Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystał – Waltz to “Somewhere” from West Side Story
- Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola – Charleston to “Popular” from Wicked
- Tasha Ghouri and Aljaz Skorjanec – Argentine Tango to “Ex-Wives” from SIX
Strictly Come Dancing leaderboard scores from week 10 of the competition
13:45 , Greg EvansIn case you missed last week’s show, or just can’t recall how each contestant was scored by the judges, here is a handy rundown of every score.
Strictly Come Dancing leaderboard scores from week 10 of the competition
Craig Revel Horwood ditches ‘catty’ judging style over fears of being cancelled
14:15 , Ellie MuirStrictly’s Craig Revel Horwood has admitted he has toned down his brutal judging style over concerns he would be cancelled.
In his 20 years of presenting the BBC dancing show, the 59-year-old has developed a reputation for being the pantomime villain of the series – giving out harsh scores and even more scathing criticism.
However, the judge awarded a rare score of 10 to Love Island winner Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec during Saturday night’s show – and has admitted he has changed his style of judging.
The judge, who worked on every series of the show, looked back on being “really harsh 20 years ago”.
“I have changed my style of judging,” he told Radio Times. “When I look back, I think, ‘Ooh, that’s cutting.’ It would now be classed as bullying, and then I’d be cancelled.”
Strictly’s Craig Revel Horwood ditches ‘catty’ judging style
Chris McCausland opens up about ‘shame’ and admits other couples are ‘better’
14:45 , Maira ButtChris McCausland has opened up about his experience of being the show’s first blind contestant, as he admitted he feels other couples are better dancers.
Comparing the experience of gradually losing his eyesight to being a “frog in boiling water”, the star opened up about his initial disbelief at his diagnosis, refusing to use aids such as a cane.
“There’s a lot of denial and resistance to it, especially when you’re in your late teens and your early 20s,” he told The Guardian.
“You’re always thinking you can do the things you could do yesterday and you’re always pretending you can see when you can’t.”
Sharing the shame he felt, he explained: “When you’re 20, 21, you’re embarrassed, you think everybody is staring at you. There’s a lot of shame.”Admitting that he felt other couples are “better than us”, McCausland said that he and partner Dianne Buswell’s strategy is instead to connect.”All we can do is connect with people,” he said. “That’s been our goal, me and Dianne, to connect with people, entertain and do the best that we can.”
Strictly’s Chris McCausland expresses ‘shame’ and admits other couples are ‘better’
There have been numerous phenomenal dances this series, but nobody has been more consistent than the former Love Islander, writes Rachel McGrath.
Strictly 2024 finally has its 40 — and nobody deserved it more than Tasha Ghouri
Strictly’s Pete Wicks says he’s received death threats for staying in dance competition
15:45 , Lucy LeesonStrictly Come Dancing contestant Pete Wicks has revealed he has received death threats for staying in the dance competition.
The TOWIE star, who has received backlash for making it to the quarter-finals of the show despite finishing last on the judge’s leaderboard, opened up about the threats he received on his Staying Relevant podcast on 23 November.
The reality star discussed his time on the dance show with his professional partner Jowita Przystal, who was standing in for his co-host Sam Thompson, who is currently in Australia.
Pete said: “Since Strictly, there have been some real crackers.
“Someone actually wished death upon me on the dance floor the other day.”
Strictly’s Pete Wicks says he’s received death threats for staying in show
Chris McCausland predicted to miss out on final despite popularity
16:15 , Greg EvansBlind comedian, Chris McCausland has been one of the standout contestants on this year’s Strictly Come Dancing, stunning audiences and the judges with his routines, despite his disability.
Although he’s widely considered a frontrunner for this season’s crown, The Express reports that a supercomputer from FruitySlots.com believes that McCausland’s future on the show could be in jeopardy.
The computer, which calculates the highest probability that each couple has of winning, believes that Tasha and Aljaž have the best chance with a whopping 36.9 per cent. Second is Sarah Hadland with 18.4 per cent, with JB Gill closely behind her with 17 per cent.
Unfortunately for McCausland, he has just a 10.2 per cent chance of winning according to the computer. Pete Wicks has the lowest probability, with just 4.4 per cent.
Tasha Ghouri’s next Strictly dance has ‘very girl pop band’ vibe
16:43 , Greg EvansTasha Ghouri has said how much she loves musicals before this week’s performances on Strictly Come Dancing, describing her song as from a production with a “very girl pop band” vibe.
The Love Island star, 26, who is partnered with Slovenian dancer Aljaz Skorjanec on the BBC One show, is to perform the Argentine tango to Ex-Wives from the musical Six on Saturday evening.
Skorjanec, 34, who returned as a professional this year following a two-year hiatus, said the musical retelling the lives of Henry VIII’s six wives, has a “cool, powerful message behind it”.
Skorjanec told the PA news agency: “I wouldn’t necessarily call myself a musical fan, but we actually went to see a musical that we’re gonna be dancing – Six, and (I) loved it.
“I absolutely loved it. It’s probably like one of my favourite musicals I’ve seen now.
“It’s so good, and I’m really glad that we’re doing it. It’s such a cool, powerful message behind it.
“And I love how it’s done. I love how current it is, how in it is, how vibey it is.”
Ghouri said: “It’s very girl pop band.
“I love musicals. I love the vocals that come with it.”
Strictly fans heap praise upon It Takes Two host for emotional Jamie Borthwick interview
17:15 , Ellie MuirStrictly Come Dancing fans have been praising It Takes Two host Fleur East for her emotional interview with eliminated contestant Jamie Borthwick.
EastEnders star Borthwick was the ninth celebrity to be booted out of the dancing competition on Sunday night after judges voted to save Gladiators athlete Montell Douglas and her partner Johannes Radebe in the dance-off.
Appearing on Strictly’s spin-off show It Takes Two after his elimination, Borthwick and his pro partner Michelle Tsiakkas grew emotional as they watched back a highlights reel from their best moments on the dancing show.
After watching the clip, East looked as though she had tears in her eyes when Borthwick asked her, “Are you crying as well?”
“Yeah, it’s got me emotional watching it back,” she admitted, before collecting herself and asking him, “Which dance do you think defines your Strictly experience?”
“As much as I loved the Rumba, that Paso…. I loved that Paso.”
While viewers were sad to see Borthwick go, they heaped praise upon East for her heartfelt interviewing in comparison to her It Takes Two co-host Janette Manrara.
One fan was so in awe of East that they demanded that she present all week, writing on X/Twitter: “Can’t we have Fleur all week please?!’.
Strictly praise It Takes Two host for emotional Jamie Borthwick interview
Strictly Come Dancing 2024 couples – full list of celebrities and their partners
17:45 , Maira ButtHere is a full list of all the remaining celebrities in this year’s competition, as well as those that have been eliminated.
Songs and performances for ‘Musicals Week’ confirmed
18:15 , Greg EvansThe songs and dances that the remaining celebrities and their partners will be performing in “Musicals Week” have been confirmed for tonight’s show.
They are as follows:
- Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell – Quickstep to “You’re The Top” from Anything Goes
- JB Gill and Lauren Oakley – Viennese Waltz to “Let’s Go Fly A Kite” from Mary Poppins
- Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe – Rumba to “I’m Here” from The Color Purple
- Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystał – Waltz to “Somewhere” from West Side Story
- Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola – Charleston to “Popular” from Wicked
- Tasha Ghouri and Aljaz Skorjanec – Argentine Tango to “Ex-Wives” from SIX
Here we go...
19:07 , Rachel McGrathI hope you’ve got tiny tubs of ice cream and overpriced wine at the ready — it’s Musicals Week!
There are just six couples left in the competition and only two live shows to go after tonight’s Strictly. The series has genuinely flown by.
This evening’s episode will incude a West Side Story Waltz, an Argentine Tango to a track from Six and a Quickstep to a classic from Anything Goes. And of course, one couple has won the jackpot and will be holding space for the lyrics of Wicked (though they’re not performing to “Defying Gravity”). It’s Sarah and Vito, who are doing a Charleston to “Popular”. One of them better be painted green.
Musicals Week begins with a pros’ performance
19:09 , Rachel McGrathThe Strictly professionals are setting the tone for the evening with a Little Shop of Horrors performance. The wigs really are something and Carlos is completely stealing the show as Audrey 2 (yes, the plant).
Judges go all out
19:15 , Rachel McGrathThey all look sensational, with Craig as the Bearded Lady from The Greatest Showman, Motsi Mabuse rocking a Dreamgirls vibe and Anton du Beke as Joseph (with his technicolour dreamcoat).
But can we talk about Shirley Ballas as Mrs Trunchbull? Talk about commit to a look. Bravo.
Sarah Hadland opens the show
19:17 , Rachel McGrathThe judges couldn’t agree on Sarah’s Rumbas last week, with two awarding her 8s and two reaching for the 10 paddle. What will they make of her Charleston?
There was a bit of time-wasting at the start but wow, those lifts. Sarah wasn’t kidding when she said she spends more time in the air. Her Charleston moves weren’t bad at all, and the all-important swivel was certainly there.
What a way to begin!
Judges give their verdict on Sarah’s performance
19:21 , Rachel McGrathThe judges are loving Sarah’s Charleston.
Motsi told her: “Yes, yes, yes. What a way to open the quarterfinal. The lifts... unbelievable. You did not miss a bit. Thank you for seeing the standard today.”
“The lifts were flawless,” Shirley said. “Unbeliavable in every shape and form. I can honestly say I loved it.”
Anton agreed, labelling the routine “so wonderful” and telling Sarah: “What I love about this is you were in complete control. I love watching you dance.”
And Craig? “Normally I like a charleston to be a bit messier with wild abandon... However, I think you made a very good choice due to character. The amount of detail in there was phenomenal. Bravo.”
Could Sarah be heading for four 10s?
Sarah’s scores are in...
19:22 , Rachel McGrathShe’s landed two 9s and two 10s, for a total of 38. Not bad at all!
Montell tackles the Rumba
19:28 , Rachel McGrathI absolutely love Montell and she really does not deserve to have been in the dance-off as much as she has.
Now she’s doing an emotion-packed rumba to “I’m Here” from The Color Purple. I’ve been loving what the pros have done with the Rumbas this year and Johannes has once again served up something new and fresh (aka... they have shoes on).
Montell doesn’t look entirely confident on the dancefloor which is a shame because she’s brilliant and has really improved week-on-week.
Montell receives comments from the judges
19:31 , Rachel McGrathMontell had an emotional moment as the routine finished, but she’s holding it together now.
“It was very slow, which is exposing,” said Craig. “The faster you go with this, the easier it is to cover up [a lack of] technique. In this dance, you have to keel living through every moment but I feel like we were just getting snapshots and still pictures.”
“I love that you had very slow moments, which are very difficult, and some fast movements,” said Motsi. “A very emotional and well-danced Rumba.”
Dancing the Rumba, a notoriously tough style, at this point in the competition isn’t ideal. But I really would hate to see Montell go!
Montell’s scores in...
19:34 , Rachel McGrathGoing along the panel, she’s received a 7, an 8, another 8 and a 9 for a total of 32.
Just before the scores, Johannes revealed something that’s made him especially proud of his partner. He explained: “My partner has got no ligaments in her ankles, so when I tell you... to acheive this, I am beside myself.”
Tasha delivers an Argentine Tango
19:39 , Rachel McGrathTasha and Aljaz are riding high off the success of their stunning American Smooth, which landed them the first perfect score of the series last week.
Now, she’s performed an Argentine Tango to a track from Six, playing Catherine Parr opposite Aljaz as Henry VII.
And Tasha suffered an unfortunate accident with her cochlear implant — without messing up a single step.
“Her implant came out for a couple of seconds,” Aljaz revealed as they spoke to Tess after.
The judges didn’t notice either, with Motsi and Anton both labelling the routine “outstanding’.
Tasha’s scores are in...
19:42 , Rachel McGrathWith 9s from Craig and Shirley and 10s from Motsi and Anton, Tasha has scored 38.
Chris’s quarterfinals Quickstep
19:46 , Rachel McGrathThe old school dances and big band numbers really seem to suit Chris, so “You’re The Top” from Anything Goes is a perfect fit for his Quickstep.
This is a lovely routine and Chris is, quite frankly, making the Quickstep look easy. And he looks like he’s having a blast too. It’s (once again) brilliant choreography from Dianne.
Chris receives mixed comments
19:50 , Rachel McGrath“Burning that many calories with a tie on is something else,” Chris quipped, before receiving his comments.
“You can make me laugh even when you’re doing a Quickstep,” said Shirley. Also... I’m still not over her costume.
Anton said: “I like mostly all of it, the right arm is too narrow and too short. The left arm is immaculate though. And you move like nobody I’ve seen on Strictly Come Dancing. It’s so close to being wonderful but it’s not quite right.”
“Your posture suffered in this dance,” said Craig. “The footwork at the end was not right” he added — before Dianne claimed the error was hers.
Motsi concluded: “I thought there was excellent energy in that dance. You started quite reserved but you found your confidence and let go.”
Chris’s scores are in...
19:52 , Rachel McGrathHe’s landed a 7, an 8, another 8 and a 9, for a total of 32. Perhaps Anton felt bad for saying the routine was “not wonderful”...
Pete (sort of) addresses criticism
19:55 , Rachel McGrathPete is undeniably the least-skilled dancer in the competition and a Waltz right now could do him some favours.
In his VT, the formerTOWIE star alluded to criticism of the fact he’s still on the show.
He said: “No words will be enough for me to describe how grateful and humbled I am to still be here. Every time my name gets called, I know it’s down to the people who voted and I wish I knew hoe to repay you. All I can is keep dancing and try my best.”
Pete’s West Side Story Waltz
19:56 , Rachel McGrathIt’s hard to go wrong with a Waltz (though I’m sure the judges will find issues to pick out).
That was a perfectly pleasant routine and Pete really has improved so much across the course of the competition. Is he on the same level as the other celebs? No. But it’s viewer votes that have kept him here and that’s how Strictly works!
Judges get picky with Pete
20:00 , Rachel McGrathThey tried to hold back... but ultimately failed.
“I’m not going to get hyper-critical of you... it was a bit of a disaster down there,” Anton told him, as he pointed down to the end of the ballroom. The judge also labelled his dancing out of hold “gorgeous” so that’s something.
“I was loving what you were bringing to this piece.. you don’t have the swing and sway, the footwork is shoddy and you went completely wrong... but that didn’t bother me, bizarrely, because the story-telling was amazing,” added Craig.
Motsi labelled him “the master of telling a story” and Shirley chose to highlight on the “improvement” Pete has managed over the course of the series. I think he’s heading for the bottom of the leaderboard, isn’t he?
Pete’s scores are in...
20:03 , Rachel McGrathCraig kicked off with a 5 (ouch, ouch, ouch!) but the rest of the panel softened the blow with 7s. Pete has a score of 26 sending him to the bottom of the leaderboard.
JB and Lauren close the show
20:07 , Rachel McGrathStatistically speaking, JB is the Strictly star who has come closest to matching Tasha, frequently tying with her on the leaderboard (as he did last week, thanks to a Samba-thon win).
He’s closing the show with a Mary Poppins-themed Vienesse Waltz to “Let’s Go Fly A Kite” and wow, what a routine. That was truly delightful. Those spins! JB is excellent isn’t he.
Disappointingly the routine hasn’t ended with JB flying off on a kite (he’s just holding one). A missed opportunity if I’ve ever seen one, but I won’t hold that against them.
The judges are loving JB
20:09 , Rachel McGrath“I do believe the night belongs to you,” Shirley told him. “Beautiful moment all around the floor. Wonderful storytelling. Huge congratulations.”
“Practically perfect in every possible way,” concluded Anton.
And Craig? “You thumb was sticking out... it was so close to perfection. You did overturn your pviots as well,” he said, before labelling JB’s routine “the best of the night”.
“You have that versatile way of dancing,” Motsi said.
JB’s scores are in...
20:11 , Rachel McGrathIt’s a 9 from Craig and 10s across the rest of the board, for a total of 39. That puts JB top of the leaderboard!
Recap: Chris and Dianne’s emotional moment
20:12 , Rachel McGrathThe pair were absolutely overjoyed after pulling off their routine (as they should be, it was stunning). Watch the lovely moment again below...
Chris McCausland’s scores spark debate
20:22 , Rachel McGrathA lot of viewers are unhappy with the marks received (which were a 7 from Craig, 8s from Motsi and Shirley, and a 9 from Anton) — including Only Connect host Victoria Coren Mitchell:
“So close to being wonderful but it’s not quite”
— Victoria Coren Mitchell (@VictoriaCoren) November 30, 2024
??!!
Words from another planet.@chrismccausland dancing might be the most wonderful thing that’s ever been on this show.#Strictly
this is SO important to consider, chris might not have perfect posture but he has overcome so much. they didn’t even know if dancing together was going to work! no matter what happens i think they are both changed for this experience together #strictly pic.twitter.com/WYYneZQnFa
— natalie | fan account (@scdjoanne) November 30, 2024
Chris always under marked. A 7 is absurd #Strictly
— Declan (@DeclanDrum) November 30, 2024
This week’s leaderboard
20:40 , Rachel McGrathHere’s how things stand — with JB Gill in the lead (by one point) and Pete Wicks at the bottom of the pile.
Strictly Come Dancing leaderboard scores from week 11 of the competition
