Strictly’s La Voix leaves studio speechless with BBC resignations joke
Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more
Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more
Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more
It’s one week to go until the all-important Blackpool week on Strictly Come Dancing, which means that the celebrities are giving it their all tonight to secure their spot in the next phase of the competition.
Tonight, there are be eight routines, including a Rumba, Waltz and two American Smooths. La Voix and Aljaž Škorjanec are dancing a Couple’s Choice to “Don’t Rain On My Parade” by Barbra Streisand.
Last week, former Geordie Shore star Vicky Pattison received a near-perfect score of 39 for her tango to Taylor Swift’s “The Fate of Ophelia”, with only Craig Revel Horwood docking a point from her and her dance partner Kai Widdrington. They were followed closely behind by Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin with an impressive 38 points.
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey was the sixth celebrity to be eliminated from the competition last Sunday, alongside his pro partner Karen Hauer, after appearing in a dance-off against RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star La Voix and Aljaž Škorjanec. EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal, who has been in the dance off three times so far, sailed through to the next round following a Bhangra-inspired Couple’s Choice routine to “Sapphire” by Ed Sheeran and Arijit Singh.
Strictly Come Dancing returns tonight at 6.30pm on BBC One.
Follow along with our live updates, below…
George delivers an emotional rumba
It’s rumba time for George and Alexis. They’re dancing theirs to the Lily Allen cover of “Somewhere Only We Know” (well, a Strictly band cover of the Lily Allen cover).
This dance is dedicated to the social media’s star mum, who has had health issues including a cancer diagnosis. She’s in the audience tonight too, which makes it extra special.
The rumba is particularly difficult for male celebs but this is really, really lovely. Great hip movement and rumba walks. Lots of emotion too. I suspect we’ll be needing the tissues again.
Rachel McGrath15 November 2025 19:29
Judges’ comments bring Carlos Gu to tears
Here are the judges’ remarks for Karen…
Anton: “I’m going to talk about you as a dancer because I know what you can do well, you bring it every week. But I want to see the next thing, I want to see lyrical, I want to soft. It was a little brittle, this dance. I want fluid motion through the body and the legs.
Craig: “This particular dance was a little spiky. You need a lot more expression in your arms and hands, you need to be softer. But you are gorgeous. I love watching you dance. Even though I’m criticising it, I adore this partnership.”
Motsi: “What I love about you is it always remains Karen. Every dance, I see you. You made this your own. A little bit more reach would help but as a number, I felt it was so strong. The performance was out of this world.”
Shirley: “Your posture is coming along so beautifully. I saw some flow, up and over. But it’s got to be a little more consistent. Boy was it on the right track though. I thought overall, I saw so many improvements.”
Carlos is in tears! This is properly emosh bless him (we’ll bring you a clip of that shortly).
The scores are… 7, 8, 8 and 8 – a total of 31.
Rachel McGrath15 November 2025 19:25
Karen brings some unexpected drama with her American Smooth
Up next with an American Smooth it’s Karen and Carlos.
Karen’s Charleston last week was absolutely fantastic but she does excel at the slower, ballroom styles too. This is set to “You Don’t Own Me” by SAYGRACE.
For an American Smooth, this is bringing some drama! Which plays to Karen’s strengths really well. I’m loving it.
Rachel McGrath15 November 2025 19:19
Judges tell Vicky: ‘Not your best, not your worst’
Here are the judges’ comments for Vicky…
Craig: “I thought it could have done with more retraction and some slip. It was a little bit flat-footed, you were slightly back-weighted. But you played that character brilliantly, you really, really did.”
Motsi: “There were tiny mistakes in the beginning, but I loved the way you recovered from that. It’s gone a level up in the difficulty of the choreography so I loved that. You are our sunshine
Shirley: “The performance was good, the choreography. When you did your swing b its, that’s when it got a little bit back. When you land in jive, it should be like you’re on a sponger. A bit more usage of the legs and you would have been well away there.”
Anton: “I think of Len [Goodman], he would have said ‘it’s not your best, it’s not your worst’. That was such a great performance, and I love that about you. You really gave it everything. From that perspective, you were top class.”
Vicky’s scores are: 6 (ouch!), 7, 7 and 7 – 27. She’s going to need viewers’ support to get to Blackpool…
Rachel McGrath15 November 2025 19:16
Vicky jives to Girls Aloud
Oh I’ve been so ready for this: Vicky and Kai are doing a jive to Girls Aloud’s “Sound of the Underground”.
This is the second time Vicky has danced to Cheryl, as she performed her Couple’s Choice to “Fight For This Love” earlier in the series.
Fast-paced and energetic, this is a style that really suits Vicky. There was a lack of movement in a body roll just there but she’s keeping the pace up in the faster sections. She looks like she’s having an absolute blast too.
Rachel McGrath15 November 2025 19:11
Alex bounces back after struggling with the paso
Here’s what the judges have told Alex…
Shirley: “I think you look much more comfortable this week. I wrote down classic, ladylike, feminine. It’s not very often I think ‘I’d love to trade places’ but you gave me that feeling. No errors in footwork at all. You darling, you send goosebumps all over me. I think you’re fantastic.”
Anton: “We must sound obsessed about technique and footwork but when it’s right you look like that. It underpins what you do. You two were dancing absolutely perfectly together, your feet were in harmony. You had a beautiful musicality running through it.”
Craig: “I would have liked to have seen more float in your free arm. And your head in the pivots was strange. But the footwork was so clean, it was full of elegance, lovely flow. I’m loving this partnership.”
Motsi: I’m loving this partnership as well. It’s such a joy to watch you dance. You give us atmosphere, I never feel rushed. I enjoy the energy you give us on the dancefloor. That was pure magic.”
Alex’s scores are… 8, 9, 9 and 9 – a total of 35.
Rachel McGrath15 November 2025 19:07
Alex waltzes into week eight
Up next with a waltz to “Weekend in New England” by Barry Manilow, it’s Alex and Johannes.
Alex had a rare struggle last week with the paso doble and found herself joint first from the bottom, but avoided the dance-off thanks to viewers’ votes.
This is lovely but I do find waltzes a bit boring (sorry). Alex definitely seems to have her confidence back, which is great. And you can tell these two just have the loveliest partnership.
Rachel McGrath15 November 2025 19:01
Amber labelled ‘perfect’ – but misses out on perfect score
The audience is on their feet!
Here are the judges’ comments for Amber…
Motsi: “I mean… every time you dance, it’s a highlight. I love that every single dance looks so different and you get fully into the dance. You keep the presence and presentation. Great choreography. I had to put my pen down because I was so involved and I want that. You put so much drama on it, I thought, ‘this is perfect’. Absolutely stunning.”
Shirley: “I would have liked to have seen more side stretch. That aside, the way you use your arms was exquisite. I love the way you took your skirt. Coming through the picture frame, selling the storyline. We loved it. All in all, very good.”
Anton: “It was thrilling to watch, it really was. I love nothing more than speed changes. Love that. You know, I found the whole thing very, very exciting. Well done.”
Craig: “I agree with Shirley, there could have been a little more shaping through the torso. But my goodness, you are so clean. The drama through that. You dance with purpose. I thought it was brilliant.”
And Amber’s scores are… 9, 10, 9, 10 – a total of 38!
Rachel McGrath15 November 2025 18:57
Amber tackles the paso doble
Amber and Nikita (my personal faves last week) are up now with a paso doble to “Dream On” by Aerosmith.
I had high hopes for this and they are not disappointing. First of all: the outflts. They both look sensational, Nikita is essentially topless, FYI.
Well… wow. (BBC)
This routine has heaps of drama, I love a more modern take on the paso. It does have the fluidity needed too, Amber is definitely moving between the all-important paso shapes so well. Bravo!
Rachel McGrath15 November 2025 18:51
Balvinder ‘played it safe’ say the judges
Here are the judges’ comments for Balvinder…
Anton: “What a lovely way to start the evening. I thought you had lovely musicality, lovely characterisation. For me, it was a little safe, that was all. I wanted a bit more of that positivity you showed last week. I enjoyed the performance, I just needed a little bit more power.”
Craig: “Your shoulders were raised slightly, your frame was occasionally a bit iffy. You need to watch your recovery arm when coming down from a lift. But you know, you always dance with conviction and you’re the most beautiful storyteller as well.”
Motsi: “I think really, the balance of the performance was a little bit of a problem for me. Your strong parts are so so strong, and then the minute you guys get together, there’s a carefulness. I think you are wonderful, you have a light in you that is shining. And if it goes a little bit dim, we miss the charisma you give.”
Shirley: “It takes a lot of courage and here we are, up you go, you’re doing the lifts, I can see you’re really comfortable. Thank you for working on your footwork too.”
And her scores are… 6 (ouch!), 7, 7, and 7 – a total of 27. That could be one of tonight’s lower totals…
Rachel McGrath15 November 2025 18:47
