And we’re off!
Tonight’s episode is officially underway and after Icons Week and the Halloween special, we’re having a little break from the themes.
We’re at the halfway point of the competition and on the agenda are performances including a Tango set to a Taylor Swift track, one Couple’s Choice and what should hopefully be a phenomenal paso doble. Let’s go!
Rachel McGrath8 November 2025 18:25
Strictly’s Alexis Warr breaks down typical show week: ‘There’s not a lot of sleep’
Alexis Warr has revealed what a typical week in Strictly Come Dancing looks like… and there’s “not a lot of sleep involved”.
Speaking to The Independent, the professional dancer revealed that Mondays and Tuesdays are normally some of the hardest as the celebrity “settles into the dance”.
Her partner, George Clarke, joked that he hopes that’s the case for everyone and “not just a me thing”.
Breaking down the typical week, from blocking sessions to the show day itself, Warr stressed that there is a “lot that goes on behind the scenes”.
Discussing the busy schedule, she said: “As a dancer, I quite like it… It’s the closest thing we get to feeling like having a nine to five.”
This week, George and Alexis will be dancing a Viennese Waltz to “Somebody to Love” by Queen.
Get the full story below…
Strictly’s Alexis Warr breaks down typical show week: ‘There’s not a lot of sleep’
Alexis Warr has revealed what a typical week in Strictly Come Dancing looks like, admitting there’s “not a lot of sleep involved”. Speaking to The Independent, the professional dancer revealed that Mondays and Tuesdays are normally some of the hardest as the celebrity “settles into the dance”. Her partner, George Clarke, joked that he hopes that’s the case for everyone and “not just a me thing”. Breaking down the typical week, from blocking sessions to the show day itself, Warr stressed that there is a “lot that goes on behind the scenes”. Discussing the busy schedule, she said: “As a dancer, I quite like it… It’s the closest thing we get to feeling like having a nine to five.”
Katie Rosseinsky8 November 2025 18:13
Strictly Come Dancing’s La Voix has proved she deserves to be taken seriously
The ‘Drag Race’ star has provided plenty of comedy moments on ‘Strictly’, but she’s at her best when she shows her serious side, The Independent’s Strictly expert Rachel McGrath wrote after last week’s Halloween show.
While they may not have topped the leaderboard, Rachel says, La Voix and professional dance partner Aljaž Škorjanec finally proved themselves to be serious contenders in this year’s competition.
The Drag Race UK star can be relied upon for sharp one-liners, but and her early routines leaned into her brilliant comic timing… but this came at a price for the performer, who didn’t necessarily get a proper chance to showcase her skills.
But during Halloween week, she beat her previous high score by an impressive seven points after her paso doble to Beethoven’s 5th.
Will she continue to reach new heights in tonight’s show?
Read the full feature below…
Katie Rosseinsky8 November 2025 18:01
‘Everyone’s going to want that job’: Zoe Ball shares thoughts on returning to world of Strictly
Could former breakfast show host Zoe Ball be one of the stars in contention to present Strictly after Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman depart the show?
Ball, who previously hosted spinoff show It Takes Two, has been one of the names repeatedly mentioned when it comes to speculation about Tess and Claudia’s replacements.
And in a recent episode of her Dig It podcast with Jo Whiley, the broadcaster touched upon the rumours.
When asked whether she would like to do the job, she replied, “I think everyone would like to do that job,” praising the dance competition for “bringing so much joy to people’s lives.”
She added: “Everyone’s going to want that job. There will be queues going around the block.”
Ball was a contestant on the third series and has also stepped in to host the main show while Winkleman was on leave.
Read the full story below…
Huge BBC star throws hat in ring for Strictly host job
A huge BBC star has publicly expressed an interest in replacing Strictly Come Dancing hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. Zoe Ball made the admission during her Dig It podcast episode with Jo Whiley, released on Wednesday (29 October). When asked whether she would like to do the job, the BBC Radio 2 broadcaster replied, “I think everyone would like to do that job,” praising the dance competition for “bringing so much joy to people’s lives.” She added: “Everyone’s going to want that job. There will be queues going around the block.” Ball was a contestant on the third series and went on to host It Takes Two. She also stepped in to host the main show while Winkleman was on leave.
Katie Rosseinsky8 November 2025 17:46
Amy Dowden thanks fans for support after second mastectomy
Amy Dowden has shared a photo from her hospital bed after undergoing a second mastectomy.
The Strictly professional previously underwent a mastectomy in 2023 after being diagnosed with breast cancer.
Earlier this week, she assured fans that this second surgery was not related to a new cancer diagnosis.
“They’re confident that all will go well and I can expect a straightforward recovery,” she said.
In her first social media post since the surgery, Amy thanked her followers “for all the messages and love”, before confirming that her “surgery went well” and revealing that she’s been focusing on “sleep and resting up” since.
“Hubby & Family have been looking after me and the besties have turned up with the goods and nothing is stopping us from watching The Traitors,” she added. “Keeping the tradition going.”
Katie Rosseinsky8 November 2025 17:05
Could Holly Willoughby be the new Strictly presenter?
Is Holly Willoughby in line to take one of the biggest jobs in television?
The former This Morning host’s name keeps cropping up in conversations about who could replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman when they leave Strictly Come Dancing behind.
Now bookmakers William Hill have suspended betting on the next presenter, following “a flurry of bets” for Holly.
“We’ve suspended betting on the next Strictly presenter after some seriously strong support for Holly Willoughby this morning,” spokesperson Lee Phelps said.
“We initially slashed her odds from 3/1 to Evens, but the money continued to flood in and we have now taken the market down.
“As the rumour mill continues to turn, this story will be one to watch over the coming days.”
We’ll certainly be keeping our eyes peeled…
(Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
Katie Rosseinsky8 November 2025 16:47
Amber Davies shares her nerves ahead of tonight’s show
Looks like Amber Davies is feeling the pressure ahead of tonight’s show.
The Love Island winner turned West End performer admitted that her heart was “going pitter patter” at about 9am this morning, hours before she’s set to take to the ballroom.
(Instagram @amb_d)
Amber and her dance partner Nikita Kuzmin will be performing a salsa to “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) by Sylvester) tonight, after scoring 35 points from the judges for their Viennese waltz last week.
Katie Rosseinsky8 November 2025 16:31
What time is Strictly on TV this evening?
Tonight’s episode, which marks the halfway point in this year’s competition, will start at 6.25pm and finish at 8pm.
After last Saturday’s spooky Halloween special and Icons Week before that, tonight’s episode won’t have a specific theme.
The next themed week will likely be the annual Blackpool extravaganza, which sees the remaining contestants head north to perform at the seaside resort’s iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom.
The Blackpool special is slated to take place in the ninth week of the competition, on 22 November.
Katie Rosseinsky8 November 2025 16:02
A quick reminder of last week’s scores
Before tonight’s episode kicks off, here’s a quick look back at the scores from last week’s live show.
Lewis Cope and his dance partner Katya Jones topped the scoreboard with the first perfect 40 of the series, after receiving 10s from every single member of the judging panel for their Couple’s Choice dance to Radiohead’s “Creep”.
They were closely followed by Karen Carnet and Carlos Gu, who picked up their first 10s of the competition and totted up an impressive score of 38.
(BBC)
Last week’s lowest scorers, meanwhile, were Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and Karen Hauer, who received 26 points for their American Smooth to “Mystical Magical” by Benson Boone.
Ellie Goldstein and dance partner Vito Coppola edged ahead of them with 27 points, but were eventually eliminated from the competition in Sunday night’s dance-off, when the judges decided to save Balvinder Sopal.
Lewis Cope and Katya Jones: 10 + 10 + 10 + 10 = 40
Karen Carney and Carlos Gu: 9 + 10 + 9 + 10 = 38
Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin: 9 + 9 + 8 + 9 = 35
Alex Kingston and Johannes Radebe: 8 + 9 + 9 + 9 = 35
La Voix and Aljaž Škorjanec: 8 + 9 + 9 + 9 = 35
Vicky Pattison and Kai Widdrington: 7 + 8 + 8 + 8 = 31
George Clarke and Alexis Warr: 6 + 7 + 8 + 8 = 29
Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon: 7 + 7 + 7 + 7 = 28
Ellie Goldstein and Vito Coppola: 6 +7 + 7 + 7 =27
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and Karen Hauer: 6 + 7 + 6 + 7 = 26
Katie Rosseinsky8 November 2025 15:33
Strictly’s Balvinder Sopal reveals big change for next show after dance-off battle
Strictly Come Dancing contestant Balvinder Sopal has revealed a big change for her next routine after ending up in the dance-off again.
The EastEnders actor and her professional dance partner Julian Caillon faced their third dance off on Sunday (2 November), with the judges opting to save them over Ellie Goldstein and Vito Coppola.
Appearing on Strictly It Takes Two on Tuesday, the soap star revealed she will be dancing barefoot this coming weekend for her couple’s choice dance to Ed Sheeran’s Sapphire.
She said: “It’s a fusion of Bunga and Bollywood, it’s strong and powerful.
“It’s going to be vibrant and banging.”
Caillon added: “I don’t think i’ve enjoyed dancing this much in a while. I feel so privileged I get to do this with Bal and learning about Bal’s culture.”
Strictly star reveals big change for next show after dance-off battle
Strictly Come Dancing contestant Balvinder Sopel has revealed a big change for her next routine after ending up in the dance-off again. The EastEnders actor and her professional dance partner Julian Caillon faced their third dance off on Sunday (2 November), with the judges opting to save them over Ellie Goldstein and Vito Coppola. Appearing on Strictly It Takes Two on Tuesday, the soap star revealed she will be dancing barefoot this coming weekend for her couple’s choice dance to Ed Sheeran’s Sapphire. She said: “It’s a fusion of Bunga and Bollywood, it’s strong and powerful. “It’s going to be vibrant and banging.” Caillon added: “I don’t think i’ve enjoyed dancing this much in a while. I feel so privileged I get to do this with Bal and learning about Bal’s culture.”
Katie Rosseinsky8 November 2025 14:55
