Strictly Come Dancing LIVE: Movie Week underway after injured celeb was forced to pull out
All the updates from week three of the BBC dancing competition including the all-important voting rules
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Lights… camera… action! It’s time for Movie Week on Strictly Come Dancing.
It is week three of BBC’s dancing competition, with the remaining contestants performing on tonight’s episode to some very recognisable tunes.
Tonight (5 October), the stars are performing numbers to the soundtrack of films including Paddington, Wonka, and The Little Mermaid.
Topping the leaderboard last week, Love Island star Tasha Ghouri and professional Aljaž Škorjanec, will perform the Rumba to Billie Eillish’s “What Was I Made For?” from Barbie. You can find the full list of who is performing to what song here.
DIY SOS star Nick Knowles has had to pull out of this week’s competition after sustaining another injury. As per the competition’s rules, he and Luba Musthuk will receive a bye through to next week.
Movie Week arrives after the first elimination of the season, which saw Olympic champion Tom Dean booted from the series.
Tonight’s episode also comes days after the BBC published its findings of an investigation into accusations against Gionvanni Pernice of abusive behaviour.
The broadcaster cleared Pernice of some of the most serious allegations levelled against him, while also issuing an apology to actor Amanda Abbington who filed a complaint against Pernice.
Tasha’s scores are in...
She’s not quite landed the first 10 of the series, but did land 8s from Craig and Motsi, and 9s from Shirley and Anton. Bravo!
Tasha wins praise from the judges
And it’s yet another stunning dance from Tasha! The Rumba is a Strictly dance that’s notoriously difficult but having topped the leaderboard last week with a combined week one and two score of 65, the Love Island star was more than ready with hers to “What Was I Made For?” from the Barbie soundtrack.
And the judges loved it too. “Absolutely exquisite,” declared Craig.
Shirley, herself the Queen of Samba, then heaped sky high praise by saying some competitors at the world championships she judged earlier this week (clunk) weren’t as good as Tasha. Sorry to them, but well done Tasha!
Chris’s scores are in...
Was Chris… speechless? The comedian was left stunned as Craig heaped praise on his routine.
“It was full of fantastic rhythm, those toe-heel swivels were excellent,” Craig, who is dressed as Captain Jack of course, said. “You can dance.”
Chris replied: “I was trying to think of something to say to have a go at you but I don’t have, do I?”
And the scores reflected the praise. He received a 7, 7, 8 and 8, giving him a total of 30.
Chris and Dianne dance the Jive
Never mind Wayne — it’s Chris McCausland’s world and we should all feel grateful to be living in it.
Toyah’s scores are in...
Her husband won’t be pleased. She’s landed a total of 15 points, with 4 each from Shirley, Anton and Motsi... and a 3 from Craig. Ouch.
Craig gets booed!
Toyah’s routine won praise from Anton and Shirley, who said the star was “powerful and in control”, but Craig wasn’t quite so kind.
As he labelled her routine “stuck in the mud” and “flat-footed”, things took a Pantomime-esque turn as Toyah’s husband stood and booed Strictly’s resident meanie! What a guy.
Toyah’s up next
Toyah has a lot to prove tonight. Last week, she finished bottom of the combined leaderboard with a score of 30 and just about kept her place in the competition after controversially winning the dance off in Sunday’s show.
And now she has to perform a Samba, one of the toughest dance styles to master. It’s unfortunate timing, to say the least.
This isn’t the first time Movie Week has featured a The Little Mermaid-themed performance, either — though the lovely Scott Mills’ “Under The Sea” Samba fell into the ‘Memorable for the wrong reasons’ category. Fingers crossed Toyah does better…
Montell brings the fire
Opening the show is always nerve-wracking but Montell - AKA Fire from ITV’s Gladiators reboot - made that look reasonably easy with her Dreamgirls-themed Tango.
And to top it off, Craig has agreed with Anton during the judges’ comments. I don’t have the stats on this to hand but that feels like a Strictly first.
Scores-wise, Montell has landed a total of 28 with every judge giving a 7. A solid start!
Our first glimpse at the costumes
Nothing says Movie Week quite like a remarkable transformation - and the celebs’ entrances gave us our first look at this year’s efforts.
I’m already loving Dianne Buswell and Chris McCausland’s Wayne’s World get-ups.
They get a solid 10 from me.
A reminder on how to vote
If you’re watching Strictly with me, then you’ll have no problem seeing the (many) reminders that voting opens once all the couples have danced.
But if you’re checking the blog while away from the TV then fear not - I’ll let you know when the lines open.
As usual, you can vote three times via the BBC’s Strictly website (splitting your votes between different couples, or giving them all to one pair), or via a phone call or text. The numbers will be given out when the vote is open so stay tuned.
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