Strictly Come Dancing LIVE: Movie week sees Craig Revel-Horwood booed and big first after a week of scandal
The BBC show’s annual Movie Week delivered tears, boos and a Strictly first
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That’s a wrap! Movie Week on Strictly Come Dancing is done and dusted for another year.
Week three of the BBC’s dancing competition saw the remaining contestants perform to some very recognisable tunes - and there was a Strictly first as Punam Krishan made history with her Bollywood routine.
Elsewhere, Toyah Wilcox’s husband brought a touch of Pantomime to show as he booed Craig Revel Horwood’s critique of his wife’s Samba.
The stars performed numbers to the soundtrack of films including Paddington, Wonka, and Mrs Doubtfire, with Wynne Evans transforming into the titular character for his Cha Cha.
Movie Week arrived after the first elimination of the season, which saw Olympic champion Tom Dean booted from the series and sadly, another of this year’s celebrities was also missing.
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.
Having topped the leaderboard last week, Love Island star Tasha Ghouri and professional Aljaž Škorjanec did so again with their Rumba to Billie Eillish’s “What Was I Made For?” from Barbie.
Tonight’s episode also came 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.
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!
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…
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 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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
Paul’s ready to ride
He may not score highly but we all love him anyway.
Paul vowed to have fun with his Cha Cha to The Magnificent Seven Theme and he did!
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