Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Liveupdated

Strictly Come Dancing latest: Fans praise Craig Revel and Anton Du Beke’s Halloween week costumes

The annual Spooktacular is back and the remaining 11 pairs were hoping their dancing didn’t frighten the judges

Ellie Muir,Rachel McGrath
Saturday 26 October 2024 15:57 EDT
Comments
Strictly's Chris McCausland opens up on 'hell' week as he reveals exit fears

Your support helps us to tell the story

This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.

The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.

Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.

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...

See you next week!

The 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!

Rachel McGrath26 October 2024 20:55

Here’s this week’s leaderboard

Two 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

Recapping how the judges marked the ‘Strictly’ couples in Halloween Week

Rachel McGrath26 October 2024 20:52

Recap: Sarah and Vito’s difficult start

Sarah 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...

Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola recover from Tango mishap to perform 'dance of night'
Rachel McGrath26 October 2024 20:28

The vote is now open

Go, 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.

Rachel McGrath26 October 2024 20:10

Sam’s scores are in...

She’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.

Rachel McGrath26 October 2024 20:06

What a way to close the show

Sam 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.

“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.

Rachel McGrath126 October 2024 20:04

Sarah’s scores are in...

And 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.

Rachel McGrath26 October 2024 19:58

Sarah delivers the first Argentine Tango of the series

And 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.”

(BBC)
Rachel McGrath26 October 2024 19:57

Jamie’s scores are in...

It’s another strong week for the EastEnders actor.

Two 10s (from Shirley and Motsi) and two 9s from the twins give him 38. Bravo!

Rachel McGrath26 October 2024 19:50

Jamie’s (not spooky) American Smooth

Jamie 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!

(BBC/Guy Levy)
Rachel McGrath26 October 2024 19:46

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in