It was fright night in the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom on Saturday, which meant the remaining 11 contestants showed off terrifying transformations as they fought for a place in next week’s competition.
It’s not just the celebrities who got in the Halloween spirit. The judges also dressed up, with Craig Revel Horwood and Anton du Beke teaming up and doing their best impression of the twins from The Shining. Professional dancer Carlos Gu — who doesn’t have a celebrity partner this year — also vied for the Best Costume crown by dressing up as Claudia Winkleman.
On the dancefloor, there were plenty of impressive moments too as Chris McCausland and his partner Dianne Buswell opened the show with a Samba to “Stayin’ Alive’” by The Bee Gees. JLS singer JB Gill and Amy Dowden, who were in the dance-off last week, bounced back with a not-so-scary Foxtrot to “Dancing In The Moonlight”.
And Sarah Hadland brought the drama with the first Argentine Tango of Strictly 2024. The actress and her pro partner Vito Coppola got off to a shaky start as Hadland struggled to get her leg into the right position for a lift. Thankfully, the pair soon recovered and the judges didn’t hold the error against them, as two of the panel reached for their 10 paddles.
One of the best moments of the night came right at the end, as Sam Quek and Nikita Kuzmin closed the show with a “Time Warp” jive — complete with Drag Race-esque costume reveals.
Recap all of the action as it happened below...
Key Points
- The Strictly stars with previous dance experience, from Tasha Ghouri to JB Gill
- Strictly Come Dancing star Nadiya Bychkova says ‘we are not friends’ after Kai Widdrington break-up
- Is there a new Strictly ‘curse’?
- Craig Revel Horwood and Anton du Beke sport matching costumes
- Sarah Hadland performs the first Argentine Tango of Strictly 2024
- Sam Quek and Nikita Kuzmin close the show in style
Spooky season is here... find out all of the songs and dances for tonight’s show
Saturday 26 October 2024 14:39 , Ellie MuirTonight’s list of songs and dances contains some classics for Strictly Halloween Week, including the Rocky Horror Picture Show and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice-themed performances.
Here’s the full list:
Wynne Evans and Katya Jones will dance a Salsa to “Canned Heat” by Jamiroquai
Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe will perform a Cha Cha to “Love Potion No. 9” by The Clovers
Punam Krishan and Gorka Márquez will perform a Tango to “Sweet Dreams” by Eurythmics
Sam Quek and Nikita Kuzmin will perform a Jive to “Time Warp” by The Rocky Horror Picture Show Cast
Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola will perform an Argentine Tango to “Ready Or Not” by Fugees
Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec will dance the Samba to “I Like to Move It” by Reel 2 Real
Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell will dance a Samba to “Stayin Alive’” by The Bee Gees
Jamie Borthwick and Michelle Tsiakkas will perform an American Smooth to The Addams Family Theme by Vic Mizzy
JB Gill and Amy Dowden will dance the Foxtrot to “Dancing In The Moonlight” by Toploader
Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystał will perform a Viennese Waltz to “That’s Life” by Frank Sinatra
Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu will perform a Paso Doble to “In The Hall of the Mountain King” by Grieg
A glimpse into tonights pro routine
Saturday 26 October 2024 14:50 , Ellie MuirCarlos Gu will lead the professional cast for a Beetlejuice Beetlejuice group rendition.
Here’s a glimpse into the action:
Strictly’s Giovanni Pernice speaks out candidly on Amanda Abbington scandal for first time
Saturday 26 October 2024 14:54 , Ellie MuirFormer Strictly pro dancer Giovanni Pernice has spoken out about his rehearsal room relationship with Amanda Abbington in detail for the first time since the BBC’s probe into his behaviour.
Read more below.
Strictly’s Giovanni Pernice speaks out on Amanda Abbington scandal for first time
Tasha Ghouri’s journey from being Love Island’s first ever deaf contestant to Strictly Come Dancing
Saturday 26 October 2024 15:30 , Ellie MuirHere’s everything you need to know about Ghouri, who’s sailing her way through the competition.
Tasha Ghouri, from being Love Island’s first deaf contestant to Strictly
Strictly Come Dancing 2024 couples – full list of celebrities and their partners
Saturday 26 October 2024 16:37 , Ellie MuirWynne Evans, the Welsh singer hoping to get his opera talents into Strictly dance routines
Saturday 26 October 2024 17:28 , Ellie MuirFind out everything you need to know about the GoCompare singer below...
Wynne Evans, the singer hoping to get opera into his Strictly dance routines
And we’re off!
Saturday 26 October 2024 18:26 , Rachel McGrathRoll up, roll up — it’s Strictly Halloween week! Second only to Blackpool, this is undeniably one of the most-anticipated weeks of each series. Yes, I am saying I look forward to this more than the final.
This year’s Spooktacular has plenty of dances worth tuning for, including an Addams Family American Smooth and a Jive to “Time Warp”. It’s less clear how some of the other routines will be given a Halloween feel, but maybe that just makes it more exciting?
Have Craig and Anton won Halloween already?
Saturday 26 October 2024 18:30 , Rachel McGrathThe judges always go all in with their costumes, but these two being dressed as the twins from The Shining is a seriously brilliant choice. It’s a 10 from me.
OMG Craig & Anton! #StrictlyComeDancing #Strictly pic.twitter.com/U1eWUyJfTU
— DavyBoyUK (@DavyBoyUK) October 26, 2024
Is there a new curse in town?
Saturday 26 October 2024 18:31 , Rachel McGrathViewers have spotted a pattern emerging this series - whoever performs first seems to end up in the dance-off. It happened last week to JB Gill and previously to Shayne Ward (both of whom really didn’t deserve to be there). Best of luck to Chris and Dianne!
A solid Samba to start the show
Saturday 26 October 2024 18:36 , Rachel McGrath1That was good! I don’t think it was Chris’s strongest dance yet but the Samba is notoriously tough.
The judges seem reasonably pleased too. Shirley has praised the comedian’s dance content and characterisation as “fabulous” and “amazing”, adding: “Overall you did very well.”
“Your timing, as always, was excecptional,” said Anton.
Chris’s scores are in...
Saturday 26 October 2024 18:40 , Rachel McGrathA 5 (from Craig) and three 7s give Chris total of 26 — he’ll definitely need a lot of support from viewers to avoid the dreaded dance-off.
Pete improves again
Saturday 26 October 2024 18:45 , Rachel McGrathWith Paul and Nick gone, Pete is undeniably one of the weaker contenders left in the competition — but he has impressed with ballroom before, and his Waltz tonight was a genuinely promising performance.
I can’t lie, I enjoyed this more than I did Joker 2.
Pete’s scores are in...
Saturday 26 October 2024 18:50 , Rachel McGrathHe’s landed a total of 31 with 8s from every judge apart from Craig — which is Pete’s highest score yet.
Giving feedback, the judges heaped praise on the former TOWIE star’s progress so far.
“When you play this back, you’re going to be very, very proud of yourself, like I am,” said Shirley, before Anton labelled the dance Pete’s best so far this series.
Craig brought Pete back to earth a little, but even he had praise.
”It was slightly behind the beat,” he said. “The characterisation was absolutely formidable. You have grown brilliantly.”
Wait — has Carlos Gu won Halloween?
Saturday 26 October 2024 18:52 , Rachel McGrathSorry but I think I was wrong to say Craig and Anton had the best costumes. Why? Carlos has dressed as Claudia. Sensational.
How do I vote for Carlos and Claudia? #Strictly pic.twitter.com/fvLvP0RxNE
— Elliot Gonzalez (@elliot_gonzalez) October 26, 2024
Johannes’s wig steals the show
Saturday 26 October 2024 18:55 , Rachel McGrathMontell’s Cha Cha wasn’t bad at all but quite frankly, I couldn’t stop staring at Johannes’s wig. The wardrobe, hair and make-up teams really have outdone themselves this year.
Montell’s scores are in...
Saturday 26 October 2024 18:58 , Rachel McGrathHaving finished joint top of the leaderboard last week, Montell has landed another solid score.
Every judge (apart from Anton!) has scored her with a 9. Anton’s 8 brings Montell’s total to 35.
Punam pulls off a Tango
Saturday 26 October 2024 19:04 , Rachel McGrathSorry but this is fast becoming a wig blog. Punam looks fabulous as a ghost pirate but Gorka’s wig is just beautiful isn’t it?
Dancing wise, it was a decent effort from the GP and she did look more confident than in recent weeks.
“It was all a bit floppy,” Anton said. “I want you to make it to the next level... your dancing is so good underneath and you have so much to offer. It’s all there, you’ve got nothing to be frightened off. You could be absolutely super.”
“I did see a big improvement this week,” said Motsi.
Punam’s scores are in...
Saturday 26 October 2024 19:08 , Rachel McGrathAnd it’s her second-highest score yet! Going along the panel, she received 6, 7, 6 and 7, giving her a total of 26.
Wynne gets in on the lift action
Saturday 26 October 2024 19:12 , Rachel McGrathWith their recent controversy well and truly behind them, Wynne and Katya have levelled their dancing up by introducing lifts this week — and poor Wynne’s fear was evident on his face as they kicked off with a string of stunts.
He never looked entirely comfortable and confident as he flung Katya in the air though, which made it a little nerve-wracking to watch.
Wynne’s scores are in...
Saturday 26 October 2024 19:17 , Rachel McGrathA 7 from Craig and 8s from the other judges give the Welsh opera singer a total of 31.
JB delivers a not so spooky Foxtrot
Saturday 26 October 2024 19:20 , Rachel McGrathWith a solid score of 30 last week, JB did not deserve to be in the dance-off (and perhaps fell victim to the new ‘curse’).
He’s bounced back well with the Foxtrot though. It wasn’t scary or Halloween-y in the slightest, but his and Amy’s scarecrow-themed routine was well-executed. And their wigs are also fantastic, of course.
JB’s scores are in...
Saturday 26 October 2024 19:25 , Rachel McGrathHe’s landed 32 — making his Foxtrot the highest-scored of the series so far. What a way to bounce back from the dance-off.
Tasha performs a Samba
Saturday 26 October 2024 19:32 , Rachel McGrathI did find the song choice a little distracting — ‘I Like to Move It’ is an odd choice anyway and that version was a little weird.
Tasha’s brilliant, isn’t she? And she somehow still looks beautiful painted blue.
The judges have heaped praise on her Samba, which is a difficult dance to pull off but the former Love Island star made it look easy.
Craig summed it up best: “Amazing.”
Tasha’s scores are in...
Saturday 26 October 2024 19:33 , Rachel McGrath1Three 9s and a 10 from Anton give Tasha and Aljaz a total of 37 — which should surely be enough for a top 3 finish.
Shayne Ward brings the drama (eventually)
Saturday 26 October 2024 19:39 , Rachel McGrathOK, that got off to a slow start as Shayne basically stood on the spot while Nancy danced around him, but we got somewhere in the end!
The duo upped the ante as the music sped up, building to a slightly frantic finale (in a good way).
“It was very intense,” said Motsi. “You followed the story, you were committed to the steps.”
“I was a little confused with the performance,” saids Shirley. “The Pasodoble is known as the man’s dance but you had eight sets of eight before you even took a step.”
Shayne’s scores are in...
Saturday 26 October 2024 19:41 , Rachel McGrathThree eights and one 7 (from Shirley) give him a very respectable 31.
Jamie’s (not spooky) American Smooth
Saturday 26 October 2024 19:46 , Rachel McGrathJamie was joint top of the leaderboard last week after a “near-perfect” Pasodoble - and now he’s dressed as Pugsley from Wednesday. Say what you like about Strictly, but you can’t claim it doesn’t offer variety.
Jamie and Michelle’s costumes were brilliant but there was nothing scary about their American Smooth. The pair were largely beaming throughout and there were even lifts — including one that saw Michelle briefly lift her partner!
Jamie’s scores are in...
Saturday 26 October 2024 19:50 , Rachel McGrathIt’s another strong week for the EastEnders actor.
Two 10s (from Shirley and Motsi) and two 9s from the twins give him 38. Bravo!
Sarah delivers the first Argentine Tango of the series
Saturday 26 October 2024 19:57 , Rachel McGrathAnd she did a good job!
There was a slight fumble at the start as Sarah struggled to get her leg into the right position to start the dance with a lift. it clearly rattled the actress’s confidence a little but she did recover well in the end.
The actress looks absolutely gutted but the judges aren’t letting the error cloud their critiques too much.
“That was the most wonderful Argentine Tango,” said Craig, before Motsi labelled it: “The dance of the night.”
Sarah’s scores are in...
Saturday 26 October 2024 19:58 , Rachel McGrathAnd she has a lot to be happy about!
Despite fumbling at the start, Sarah and Vito have managed to land 10s from Motsi and Anton, and 9s from Craig and Shirley.
What a way to close the show
Saturday 26 October 2024 20:04 , Rachel McGrath1Sam has been in need of a big moment and that certainly delivered.
That Jive was amazing. Sam had no problems keeping with Nikita and they have to also win erxtra points for that stunning costume reveal. Sam also really looked like she was having fun, which was so nice to see.
Nikita and Sam.
— Karl Cunliffe (@KDCunliffe) October 26, 2024
There are no words …
Brilliant.#strictly #strictlycomedancing #samquek #nikita pic.twitter.com/DgUi097UjA
“You’ve had your ups and downs, you came back strong this week, you rock,” Motsi told her.
Anton added: “I think there’s a lot more to come for you and I can’t wait.”
“The kicks and flicks were magnificent,” said Craig.
Sam’s scores are in...
Saturday 26 October 2024 20:06 , Rachel McGrathShe’s received eights across the board, and a 7 from Craig. Sam’s total is 31, not enough for a top half finish but still her best score yet.
The vote is now open
Saturday 26 October 2024 20:10 , Rachel McGrathGo, go go!
You only have until 8.40pm to vote for who to save from the dance-off so don’t waste any time in doing so.
Recap: Sarah and Vito’s difficult start
Saturday 26 October 2024 20:28 , Rachel McGrathSarah and Vito delivered the dance of the night, according to the judges — but got off to a very shaky start.
Watch the tense moment again below...
Here’s this week’s leaderboard
Saturday 26 October 2024 20:52 , Rachel McGrathTwo stars are sharing the top spot again — and Tasha Ghouri isn’t one of them. The former Love Island star isn’t far behind though.
See all of this week’s scores:
Strictly leaderboard scores from week six of the dance competition
See you next week!
Saturday 26 October 2024 20:55 , Rachel McGrathThe voting lines have now closed and the remaining 11 couples’ fates are in the hands of the judges. Tune in to the results show on BBC One at 7.20pm tomorrow to find out who leaves the competition.
I’ll be back next Saturday for another live episode with a theme — the first ever Icons week. See you then!
