Strictly Come Dancing latest: Fans insist Chris McCausland’s quickstep was ‘wonderful’ after judge’s comments
It was Musicals Week in the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom and, of course, one pair danced to a song from Wicked
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.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.
JB and Lauren close the show
Statistically 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
“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...
It’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
The 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
A 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:
This week’s leaderboard
Here’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
Recapping how the judges marked the remaining six couples
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments